The Minnesota Vikings’ decision to pass on veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers has sparked doubts about their confidence in rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, according to league insider Ross Tucker. Speaking on Purple Daily, the former journeyman offensive lineman turned Sirius XM and CBS Sports analyst revealed that the Vikings are not as sold on McCarthy as their public statements suggest.
“As much as they’re ‘sold’ on J.J. McCarthy, they weren’t that sold… so [the Vikings] have some doubt,” Tucker said.
Last season, the Vikings thrived with a 14-3 record under quarterback Sam Darnold, who earned a Pro Bowl nod before signing a three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks. With Darnold gone, the team appeared ready to hand the reins to McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, head coach Kevin O’Connell has yet to name the 22-year-old former Michigan star as the definitive starter, raising eyebrows across the league.
Instead, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made efforts to retain mid-season acquisition Daniel Jones, who ultimately signed with the Indianapolis Colts. The Vikings also traded for Seattle backup Sam Howell, signaling a lack of certainty in McCarthy’s readiness. “No matter what the Vikings say about J.J. McCarthy… they wanted [Sam] Darnold back,” Tucker noted. “And then when they weren’t going to get Darnold back, they wanted Daniel Jones back.”
O’Connell has remained diplomatic about McCarthy, emphasizing competition within the quarterback room. “J.J. is going to be in a great position to assume and ascend in our organization,” O’Connell told Rich Eisen recently. “But right now, we really don’t have any feelings on competition as much as we’ve got an obligation as coaches to put our players in position to attack that competition phase.” He added that both Howell and journeyman backup Brett Rypien, nephew of Super Bowl winner Mark Rypien, will also be prepared to compete for the starting role.
McCarthy’s rookie season was derailed by a torn meniscus, which landed him on injured reserve and cost him valuable practice time. Now back at organized team activities (OTAs), McCarthy addressed the team’s reported interest in Rodgers, the 41-year-old Super Bowl champion and former New York Jets quarterback. “Obviously I respect Aaron Rodgers, one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game,” McCarthy said in April. “But all I was focusing on was that day-to-day task, what I was doing here, what I was doing at home just to kind of make myself the best overall player I can be.”
Despite missing out on Rodgers, the Vikings have bolstered their offense this offseason. Adofo-Mensah secured over $53 million in guaranteed money for former Colts right guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly, while also re-signing running back Aaron Jones and acquiring running back Jordan Mason via trade. In the 2024 NFL Draft, the team added Ohio State’s national championship-winning left guard Donovan Jackson in the first round and speedy Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton in the third.
Felton, one of the fastest receivers in the draft, is expected to complement Minnesota’s star receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, as well as tight end T.J. Hockenson, by drawing defensive attention in 2025. These moves signal the Vikings’ intent to build a robust offense, but the uncertainty at quarterback remains a glaring concern.
With McCarthy yet to be confirmed as the starter and the team exploring other options, the Vikings’ quarterback situation will be a storyline to watch as the 2025 season approaches. For now, the doubts expressed by insiders like Tucker suggest Minnesota may be privately panicking about their young quarterback’s ability to lead the franchise.