J.J. McCarthy is heading into perhaps the most consequential season of his short NFL career. Depending on what happens, he could win or lose the Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback job after they put their necks on the line by letting Sam Darnold walk.
As things stand, however, one of the biggest names in the building already has an opinion built up on the quarterback. While the opinion could always change, first impressions are lasting, and with McCarthy now seemingly all but officially the leader on the field, he is giving new first impressions.
Vikings President and Co-Owner Gives Great Review of J.J. McCarthy
Speaking in an interview on the Vikings mobile app this week, Vikings President and Co-Owner Mark Wilf praised McCarthy’s leadership and presence.
#Vikings President/Co-Owner Mark Wilf on JJ McCarthy:
“He has a gravitational pull as a leader… all things are pointing in the right direction and we are going to be supporting JJ to have him be the success that we want him to be.”
🎥: Vikings Mobile App pic.twitter.com/C7uTYO01Im
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage)
“He has a gravitational pull as a leader,” Wilf said. “He really does.” “I think that the way the players support him… the talent is there. Coach O’Connell is glowing in his praises of how he’s handled everything to date, and from an off-the-field perspective, we couldn’t be happier. So, all things are pointing [in] the right direction, and we’re going to be supporting J.J. to have him be the success we want him to be.”
Of course, between Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and others, the Vikings have plenty of gunpowder on offense. The question is whether McCarthy can light the match.
Vikings Leave McCarthy Room for Potential Defense if Things Go Down in Flames
While he has plenty of weapons on the outside, one area of arguable neglect on the offense this offseason has been running back. Aaron Jones is set to lead the backfield this season, but there are plenty of questions in the room.
Jones is heading into an age-31 season on a downward trend in arguably the most important statistic. The running back earned 5.3 yards per carry in 2022, 4.6 yards per carry in 2023, and 4.5 yards per carry in 2024.
The Vikings cut ties with Dalvin Cook over a similar decline in the statistic after the 2022 season, after he earned a 4.4 yards per carry average in that season.
As such, if McCarthy is forced to throw into tighter windows because defenses don’t have to respect the run, the quarterback could point to that arguable oversight as the reason for his troubles.
Jordan Mason pic.twitter.com/VCoeDQeoRK
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz)
That said, the Vikings did invest some late-round draft capital into trading for Jordan Mason, but the investment cost indicates that they weren’t exactly all-in on fixing the position. That sets the stage for McCarthy’s defense if the running game and quarterback struggle.
No matter the case, one of the biggest storylines this season will come from Minnesota. Will McCarthy make the Vikings regret their decision to move on from Darnold?