Insiders Lukewarm on Minnesota Vikings Future

Despite the Minnesota Vikings breaking in a new quarterback this season, the roster is very much set up to win now. Both the offensive and defensive lines have been overhauled, undoubtedly the No. 1 area for targeted improvement during the offseason, after poor trench play cost the Vikings huge at the end of 2024.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also made key additions in both the running back and linebacker rooms. And no matter the experience level of their QB, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison will make them look better, even if we can’t see them together until week 4, following his recent three game suspension.

With or without their talented WR2, Minnesota’s supporting cast is heavily upgraded for 2025. The immediate question now is whether or not JJ McCarthy can put the Vikings’ ready-to-win roster over the postseason top during his redshirt rookie season? And soon, we’ll start to get those answers.

But what about McCarthy’s long-term future, and the team he now carries on his 22-year-old shoulders? In all likelihood, by the end of the 2025 season, we’ll have a much better grasp on what the future of this organization looks like too.

ESPN: JJ McCarthy controls the Minnesota Vikings future

That’s because, if JJ McCarthy plays well and stays healthy, fans will start to dream some dangerously optimistic dreams. And if not, we’ll figure out that he ain’t it sooner than later.

Of course, Saturday marked J.J. McCarthy’s first game exposure since his season-ending knee injury last year. The results were lukewarm, depending on who you ask. Coincidentally, that’s how ESPN insiders currently see the future of the Vikings too.

In a “NFL future power rankings” released at the four-letter network on Monday, Minnesota’s future with McCarthy at the helm ranks No. 11 out of 32 NFL teams. Very lukewarm for a top NFC contender coming off a 14-3 season. ESPN’s reasoning? In summary: they aren’t sure what JJ McCarthy is going to be yet.

The Vikings certainly have a good future with coach Kevin O’Connell and receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, along with tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, forming their offensive core. But just how good? That depends on quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who could make or break not just this season, but the next few in Minnesota.

Ben Solak – ESPN

Related: JJ McCarthy’s Leadership on Full Display in Vikings Return; O’Connell Giddy…

All eyes are on McCarthy in 2025 and beyond. He now has a clear path to assume control of the Vikings’ offense and take it to another level after missing the entire 2024 season due to a knee injury. He has all of the physical and mental tools to be a star and has the best coaching staff one could ask for in O’Connell and QB coach Josh McCown. He just needs to do it.

Louis Riddick – ESPN

One person does not make a team, but it’s hard to argue that a quarterback doesn’t define a 53-man roster. If the MN Vikings have the real deal in McCarthy, then they can win this year and into the future.

In what is expected to be his lone preseason exposure, McCarthy completed 4-of-7 passes for 30 yards on Minnesota’s opening drive, which ended in a Will Reichard 48-yard field goal.

If McCarthy ain’t it, Vikings’ future could go downhill fast…

The Chicago Bears host the Minnesota Vikings for Week 1 of the regular season. It is from then on that McCarthy will need to establish himself and show he can pay off a Vikings roster that gained and retained a lot of veteran talent during the offseason.

Right now the Minnesota Vikings are generating plenty of hype in the NFC North. On paper they have established veteran talents that should help to supplement a defense looking to take the next step. Seth Walder cautions that the bottom falling out represents disaster.

The Vikings will have a bottom-five defense in EPA per play. By this point, defensive coordinator Brian Flores will have been poached for another head coaching job and veterans like safety Harrison Smith, defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen and edge Andrew Van Ginkel will have aged out.

Seth Walder – ESPN

Related: What We Learned About the MN Vikings’ QB Situation vs Texans

It’s true that Allen and Hargrave bring a renewed focus to the interior defensive line. Each come with injury concerns though, and they aren’t getting any younger.

Yes, the Minnesota Vikings are setup to win now and they’ve done a good job of preparing for the future. But if they don’t hit on McCarthy, then ESPN is saying that none of that really matters. And in all reality, they’re probably right.