The Minnesota Vikings find themselves in an intriguing position heading into the 2025 offseason. With star wide receiver Justin Jefferson locked in as the franchise’s cornerstone and head coach Kevin O’Connell recently securing a long-term extension, the focus now shifts to the most important position in football: quarterback.
The Vikings took J.J. McCarthy with the 10th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, believing he could be their franchise quarterback. However, a knee injury derailed his rookie season before he could even take the field. In his absence, veteran Sam Darnold stepped in and put together the best year of his career, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions with a 102.5 passer rating.
His performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection and solidified his case to remain Minnesota’s starting quarterback — if the team brings him back in free agency.
Justin Jefferson On J.J. McCarthy: ‘He’s a Sponge’
With Darnold’s future uncertain and McCarthy still unproven at the NFL level, Minnesota has a major decision to make. But if you ask Jefferson, he’s already forming a strong connection with the young quarterback.
Speaking to Athlon Sports, the 25-year-old wideout praised McCarthy’s work ethic and eagerness to learn.
“I definitely can say he’s a sponge, for sure,” Jefferson said. “He’s a guy that wants to learn. He’s a guy that wants to be a top-tier quarterback in this league.”
Beyond their on-field connection, Jefferson emphasized the bond they’ve built in the locker room.
“So, our lockers are really right next to each other,” Jefferson said. “So, every single day we’re chopping it up. We’re talking not only about football, but just life in general [and] what’s going on. And just having that connection with him before he even steps on the field is something that’s special. So, I’m excited to see what he does.”
While McCarthy has yet to make his NFL debut, Jefferson is looking forward to seeing what he brings to the table.
“He was doing great before he had got injured,” Jefferson added. “So, I’m excited to see what we’re going to do, who we’re going to bring back, and to see who’s going to be our starter for next year.”
Jefferson Believes In Minnesota’s Vision
Despite Jefferson’s endorsement of McCarthy, the Vikings might not be as committed, at least for Week 1. Darnold’s breakout season makes him a legitimate option as the starter, but if he returns, he may not be keen on taking a backseat to an untested rookie quarterback. By PFSN’s QB+ metric, Darnold was the league’s 12th-best quarterback in 2024.
Minnesota must weigh the benefits of sticking with a proven veteran against developing McCarthy, whom they drafted with the intention of becoming the franchise quarterback. Jefferson, for his part, is staying focused on the bigger picture.
During Super Bowl media week, in an interview with PFSN and other media outlets, Jefferson told us how much he appreciates O’Connell’s leadership style and ability to run the offense, which is a key reason why he remains optimistic about the Vikings’ future.
With Jefferson’s backing and O’Connell’s extended commitment, Minnesota appears to have a strong foundation. Now, it just has to decide who will be taking advantage of that opportunity in 2025.