Vikings Cautioned on Next Move With J.J. McCarthy

The Minnesota Vikings are one of the lucky teams heading into the 2025 season, in that they’ve been able to maintain their staff from last season to 2025, for the most part, which can’t be said for many NFL teams. But, that doesn’t mean their work during the offseason is over. On the contrary, the Vikings still have some winkle to iron out before September kicks in.

Now, the Vikings are being urged to get control of their quarterback situation before it’s too late. Since the Vikings have a very interesting quarterback situation this season, it makes sense that it will need more attention during the offseason.

Minnesota Vikings Must Support J.J. McCarthy

In a June 17 feature for Bleacher Report, NFL analyst and expert Kristopher Knox names every NFL Team’s to-do tally for the rest of the 2025 offseason. In the feature, he notes that the NFL has “finally reached the quiet portion of the 2025 NFL offseason. Organized team activities (OTAs) and most mandatory minicamps are over, which means many players are essentially off until the start of training camps.”

But, even as the offseason gets “quiet,” the decision-makers are still working to ensure that their teams have everything they need going into the new season. As Knox states, “coaches, general managers and other team decision-makers will simply be idle over the next month. Whether it’s addressing roster holes, executing trades, signing players to new contracts or laying camp plans, every NFL team has something to accomplish before the end of the summer.”

For the Minnesota Vikings, Knox says that the biggest thing the team needs to do is make sure quarterback J.J McCarthy is supported as quarterback No. 1.

“The Minnesota Vikings didn’t bring back Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones in free agency,” McCarthy said. “That means they’re prepared to turn the reins over to second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy even though he missed his entire rookie season following knee surgery.”

He adds that this season, “it’s imperative that head coach Kevin McConnell and the Vikings give McCarthy all the support they’d give an established QB1 entering camp. After missing an entire year and watching Darnold lead Minnesota to the playoffs, McCarthy could probably use a confidence boost.”

Then, Knox gets into some of the psychology of it. He says that the Vikings need to make sure McCarthy knows that he’s quarterback No. 1 and that the team is looking to him for the future.

“The Vikings must also ensure that trade acquisition Sam Howell—who will provide veteran depth—isn’t a perceived threat to McCarthy’s job,” Knox stated. “There will probably be some offensive growing pains in 2025, but this has to be McCarthy’s team going forward.”

More Things for the Vikings to Do During the Offseason

Aside from getting things formed around McCarthy, Knox also suggests the team adds cornerback help and sorts out their new safety rotation.

“General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah should also be on the lookout for cornerback help,” Knox urged. “Minnesota ranked 28th in passing yards allowed last season, lost Byron Murphy and has yet to re-sign Stephon Gilmore. Bringing back Gilmore or adding a free agent like Jaire Alexander or Mike Hilton before camp would be smart.”