The Minnesota Vikings have yet to announce their starting quarterback for the 2025 season, but their actions to start the new league year more than speak for themselves.
Minnesota’s decision to cut ties with 2024 starter Sam Darnold, and to also remove themselves from the Aaron Rodgers offseason drama, shows their commitment to recent No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy as not only their quarterback of the future, but of the present. The Vikings’ reported interest in aging veterans like Joe Flacco and Ryan Tannehill only cements McCarthy’s status as QB1 entering the team’s offseason program.
McCarthy got a chance to sit down with well-known sportscaster Kay Adams at the annual NFLPA Golf Classic in Mexico on Tuesday, and he passed his first test with flying colors when Adams asked about the Rodgers situation and if McCarthy had been told he's the starter going forward.
“They haven’t told me (I’m the starter),” McCarthy said, “and I’m happy they didn’t.”
“I try to earn it every single day,” he added, “and I never want that to be given to me.”
J.J. McCarthy reveals the Minnesota Vikings haven't told him he's the No. 1 QB, and he's "happy they didn't."@heykayadams | @jjmccarthy09 pic.twitter.com/RCRz412ROM
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) March 25, 2025
That’s an excellent answer from the 22-year-old QB, who’s been working his way back from a pair of 2024 meniscus surgeries. There’s no doubt McCarthy has that mindset, even though his only current competition is a proverbial speed bump in fringe practice squad quarterback Brett Rypien.
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If we’re being honest, the Vikings haven’t exactly gone out of their way to bring in competition for McCarthy. They passed on going up to $30 million per season for Darnold coming off a Pro Bowl year, and opted against out-bidding the Indianapolis Colts for Daniel Jones. The team could have added some reasonable veteran competition like Gardner Minshew, Mac Jones or Cooper Rush. Instead, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is playing the long game, waiting until after the draft to add his backup quarterback to ensure his team lands compensatory picks for losing Darnold, Jones and potentially Cam Robinson in free agency.
The Vikings aren't telling us McCarthy is their starter for 2025 and beyond, they’re blasting it over the loud speakers. So far, the young phenom prospect is holding up his end of the bargain.
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