Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is entering the offseason healthy and possibly on track to secure the starting job for the 2025 season. However, the road ahead is filled with uncertainties, as the months between January and September often bring unexpected twists in the NFL.
The Vikings have yet to clarify their quarterback plans, leaving questions about key players like Sam Darnold, who is coming off a career-best season. If Minnesota doesn’t extend Darnold before mid-March, he will become the top free-agent quarterback available. Meanwhile, Daniel Jones, who joined the franchise but has yet to play a snap for the team, remains an enigma.
Had Darnold led the team to the NFC Championship game this season, Minnesota might have considered trading McCarthy for a haul of draft picks. Instead, the most likely scenario now sees McCarthy returning for his age-22 campaign. The team may also bring in a veteran quarterback as a backup or competition for the starting job. Despite this, not everyone in the NFL community is convinced that McCarthy is the ideal choice for Minnesota.
“It’s likely back to the starting line with a quarterback who has played zero NFL snaps and is coming off a big knee injury,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted on January 21, citing an NFL personnel evaluator. “I like [McCarthy], but I have no idea what they are getting at this point.”
Fowler also projected that the Vikings could take a step back in 2025, partly due to uncertainties at the quarterback position and the potential for significant roster turnover. While Minnesota has established itself as a competitive team under head coach Kevin O’Connell, with talent on both sides of the ball, Fowler warned of looming changes that could disrupt the team’s trajectory.
The Vikings face the prospect of losing several key players to free agency, including Darnold, left tackle Cam Robinson, safety Camryn Bynum, running back Aaron Jones, and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. Retaining these players will require early contract extensions, as free agency opens in mid-March. However, the situation may not be as dire as it seems.
Minnesota is projected to have $64.1 million in salary cap space for the 2025 season, the eighth-highest figure in the league. Additionally, the team has potential replacements already in place for some departing players. Christian Darrisaw, for instance, has been the team’s starting left tackle for several years and is among the league’s best at the position when healthy. Darrisaw missed the remainder of the season after suffering a Week 8 injury against the Los Angeles Rams, but he is expected to return to full form.
Running back Aaron Jones’ potential departure is a concern, but the Vikings could address the position in the upcoming NFL Draft. Dane Brugler of The Athletic recently projected Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson to Minnesota with the No. 24 overall pick. “[Ashton] Jeanty deservedly will command all of the Round 1 running back talk, but Johnson is worthy of landing in the top 32, as well,” Brugler wrote. “The Iowa back would be a great fit for Minnesota’s outside-zone scheme, and his impact would help open the passing game.”
The Vikings’ secondary, however, remains a major challenge. Six of their top seven defensive backs, including Murphy and Bynum, are set to become free agents in less than two months unless new deals are reached. This could leave a significant void in a crucial part of their defense.
As the offseason unfolds, the Vikings face critical decisions that will shape the team’s future. While McCarthy’s potential at quarterback offers hope, the uncertainties surrounding key free agents and roster depth underscore the challenges Minnesota must navigate to remain competitive in 2025 and beyond.
Vikings Recieves threatening concerns Assessment on Quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
