NFL Analyst Bluntly Shares Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy's New Role

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Anthony Miller | Last updated Apr 1, 2025 3:25 PM ET

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is taking the ultimate leap from the bench to franchise savior in a matter of one year, which is never easy for any young quarterback.

The Vikings moved up one spot in the 2024 NFL Draft to select McCarthy with their pick. He was impressive in his one-game appearance in the preseason, completing 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns to one interception. A torn meniscus would likely cost McCarthy his regular season, as he would resort to holding a clipboard on the sidelines while Sam Darnold won 14 games and took the Vikings to the playoffs.

Darnold is now out of the picture as he signed with the Seattle Seahawks, and all signs seem to point to Aaron Rodgers potentially signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Vikings are now McCarthy’s boat to command, but this voyage will have its ups and downs.

NFL Network analyst Kyle Brandt spoke on "Good Morning Football" about McCarthy’s new role as the starting quarterback for the Vikings. While Brandt is pulling for him and McCarthy’s background as a winner in Michigan, there is concern about throwing McCarthy into the fire so quickly.

"J.J. is green as hell. I think this is going to be much, much more difficult than just step in there, your knee's fine, and just light it up and I don't know we'll win maybe not 14 games next year, but 12 or 13. I don't know. I know this, the Vikings are hugely, hugely behind him."

"This is going to be more difficult than it seems."

- @KyleBrandt on J.J. McCarthy stepping in as Minnesota Vikings QB1 in Hour 1 of the #GMFB Podcast

: https://t.co/2FEnnIWBvp pic.twitter.com/Ol5kW9IPhY
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) April 1, 2025

Whether it’s Kirk Cousins or Darnold at quarterback, the Vikings have seen great success with two postseason appearances in the last three years. It helps to have wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to throw it to and Aaron Jones in the backfield.

Time will only tell whether McCarthy is ready for the spotlight, but he has experience in big moments and has the support of his franchise to get back to the postseason in 2025.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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