The Minnesota Vikings are fully backing J.J. McCarthy to take over as their starting quarterback heading into the 2025 season. Rather than re-signing Sam Darnold or bringing in another veteran during free agency, the team is moving forward with the young QB at the helm.

Early signs from training camp suggest that McCarthy has shown promise, displaying poise and skill while running the offense. During an appearance on NFL Live, former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrew Hawkins was asked to evaluate McCarthy’s chances of thriving in his first year as a starter.

“I mean, that’s setting the bar really high when you’re talking about 14-3 [last season],” Hawkins admitted. “But I do think J.J. will have a lot of success in this organization because of the infrastructure we’re seeing. When you look at what Kevin O’Connell built with Kirk Cousins, it’s clear there’s a system in place that can support a quarterback.”

Hawkins also referenced the surprising success of Sam Darnold last season, noting how that further supports McCarthy’s chances of excelling within the Vikings’ system.

“Sam Darnold came in, and no one in the football world could have predicted what we saw from the Vikings last year with him under center,” Hawkins continued. “But that infrastructure helped—when you talk about Kevin O’Connell, when you talk about Josh McCown—it all matters.”

Will J.J. McCarthy Thrive in Minnesota in 2025?

McCarthy, selected No. 10 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, missed his entire rookie season due to a preseason injury. Despite that setback, he now steps into a highly favorable environment.

The Vikings boast a strong coaching staff led by Kevin O’Connell, a tough defensive core including Byron Murphy Jr. and Harrison Smith, and a high-powered offense featuring stars Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

Given the talent around him, expectations for McCarthy are significant—especially as the Vikings aim for another deep playoff run following their 14-3 finish in 2024.

Still, not everyone is convinced. According to Bet365, Minnesota is currently more likely to miss the playoffs (-140) than make them (+110), and they hold the third-best odds (+400) to win the NFC North, despite arguably fielding an improved roster from last year.

All eyes will be on McCarthy as he steps into a high-stakes role with championship expectations.