The Minnesota Vikings are kicking off the J.J. McCarthy era in Week 1 against NFC North division rival, the Chicago Bears. After winning 14 games last season with Sam Darnold, the Vikings made the bold decision to hand the team over to McCarthy.
With Minnesota having a team that's built to win now, this decision will be under the microscope to see if the Vikings made the right call to let Darnold walk in free agency. The Michigan product will have his first test against the Bears to see if he can handle being QB1.
MORE: Vikings might have a QB gem in Max Brosmer
Nonetheless, FS1 host Colin Cowherd gave a worrying update on how McCarthy is handling being the Vikings' starting quarterback heading into Week 1.
"Minnesota's a mystery team," Cowherd said on the "Colin Cowherd Podcast." "I don't know what J.J. McCarthy is. I really do not know. I've heard enough from people I trust. I got a text from somebody I really trust a few weeks ago. He said 'It's a work in progress.'"
Last month, before the Vikings' preseason matchup with the New England Patriots, tackle Brian O'Neill spoke about what he's observed from McCarthy during training camp and preseason games.
MORE: Kate Scott to make NFL broadcast history in Vikings-Steelers clash
"I would just say his demeanor in the huddle — he was calm, cool, collected, but still had a fire to him that you can tell is the competitive side, and it really came out," O'Neill told Vikings Entertainment Network's Tatum Everett. "He had some juice in the huddle, and it was good to see him have that against another team rather than ourselves for the first time."
The Vikings quarterback appears to have the backing of the veterans on this team. If McCarthy goes out and performs well against the Bears, comments like Cowherd's will slowly die down.
Furthermore, no one will question Minnesota's decision, but if there is a shaky display against Chicago, then the noise will get louder around McCarthy.