The Minnesota Vikings have a lot of attention on them right now, mainly because quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be making his much-anticipated debut with the team this season. Since McCarthy was out all last season with an injury, this will be his first time taking a snap in the NFL, and people are super curious how it’s going to turn out. Talk about pressure.
But, heading into the new season, it may be the last one for a Vikings rookie who’s journey with the team hasn’t gone as expected. This guy was once expected to be a big breakout star, but so far, it just hasn’t happened.
Minnesota May Split With Third-Round Pick
Ryan Heckman of The Vikings Age has a new piece out on Sunday, June 22, about one Vikings player who could split with the team after this season.
That player is Brian Asamoah III. In the piece, he says that “Asamoah may be off the Vikings’ roster after just his rookie contract,” noting that “this league is all about ‘what have you done for me lately?’ and we know it. In three seasons, Asamoah has appeared in 46 games. He’s tallied a total of just 30 tackles, with none of them coming for a loss.”
From here, Heckman says that to say Asamoah has been “a disappointment would be an understatement. A third-round pick is supposed to be better than this, and all Asamoah has been able to do is become a regular on special teams.” He adds that, “A special teams regular is not exactly what you’re bargaining for with a third-round pick. Sure, he’s not off the roster (yet) but he has not been the defensive contributor many thought he could be.”
Heckman also points out that the Vikings inked Eric Wilson and drafted Kobe King in the sixth round this year, “essentially saying this team is investing more into the inside linebacker position and readying themselves for when Asamoah is eventually gone in 2026.”
So, Heckman sees Asamoah gone by the spring “if he doesn’t have a big summer or become a Pro Bowl special teams standout.”
Looking at Another Big Minnesota Vikings Player
While some may disagree on Asamoah being a total bust, most agree that it’s going to be a huge season for McCarthy. “We’re looking forward to seeing Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy in training camp because we didn’t get to see much of him at all last year,” Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report said in a Friday, June 20 feature.
When it comes to the health of McCarthy, Knox adds, “Fortunately, McCarthy appeared to be close to 100 percent during minicamp and even impressed his future top target with his arm strength.”
“He definitely has an arm,” wideout Justin Jefferson said according to ESPN. “That’s for sure. He can definitely zip it whenever he needs to.”
Knox adds that “we can’t wait to get our first good look at the 22-year-old in almost a full calendar year.” While there are a lot of questions still out there about McCarthy, this Michigan product appears ready to deliver.
