A new era is about to begin for the Minnesota Vikings. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell came to the conclusion during the past two seasons that veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins may have been a great guy in the locker room with impressive passing statistics, but he was not going to be the leader that would help the team successfully compete against the NFL's elite opponents. The Vikings decided to cast their lot with rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, fresh off winning a national championship with the University of Michigan.
The Vikings are hoping that McCarthy will develop into a top-notch NFL quarterback who will allow the team to beat good-to-excellent opponents on a consistent basis. Of course, the Vikings are not alone in hoping that their rookie signal caller will develop into such a star. Six quarterbacks were drafted within the first 12 picks of this year's draft, and it's clear that the Chicago Bears (Caleb Williams), Washington Commanders (Jayden Daniels), New England Patriots (Drake Maye), Atlanta Falcons (Michael Penix Jr.) and Denver Broncos (Bo Nix) are hoping the same things.
(Perhaps the Falcons are not in any rush with Penix. Atlanta signed the aforementioned Cousins to be their No. 1 quarterback this year and for the foreseeable future. Stay tuned to this soap opera throughout the next two seasons.)
McCarthy, other rookie quarterbacks expected to contribute early in careers
The atmosphere changed in the NFL quite a few years ago. There was a time that rookie quarterbacks waited at least two seasons before they were asked to step in and lead their teams. That is no longer the case and has not been for many years.
C.J. Stroud became a star at quarterback as a rookie last year with the Houston Texans, and the Vikings would be thrilled if McCarthy could develop at the same pace.
However, they brought in a placeholder in veteran Sam Darnold to serve as the team's QB1 until McCarthy is ready to take over.
The belief is that O'Donnell and quarterback coach Josh McCown are as qualified as any coaches to develop a young quarterback in the NFL.
McCown explained that the speed of the game is something that McCarthy will have to learn for himself. “There’s still a learning curve to this league,” McCown said. “So, it’s important to give yourself space to understand that and not put pressure or a level of expectations on them that are sometimes unattainable in year No. 1.”
Nevertheless, if McCarthy can make significant progress, he should get an opportunity fairly early in his rookie season to throw the ball to superstar Justin Jefferson, wide receiver Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson.
McCarthy will start the season on the sidelines
McCarthy has been in the process of learning the Vikings offensive system since he was drafted and his education will continue throughout the offseason and training camp. He may not have come from a heavy-duty passing offense at Michigan, but he was impressive in leading the Wolverines for two years.
McCarthy brought that team into the College Football Playoff for two consecutive seasons and his team beat Washington in the national title game last year. He has demonstrated that he can gain understanding of the team's game plan quickly and that he can throw the ball extremely well.
The early reports on McCarthy have been good and the expectations are that his progress will continue throughout the summer.
No matter how good McCarthy looks this summer, don't expect him to start the season under center when the Vikings kick off in September against the New York Giants. Darnold will get the start and McCarthy will have a chance to hold the clipboard and watch from the sidelines.
He will be struck by the speed of the NFL game, and the youngster will be left wondering how long it will take for him to get his first start. McCarthy will believe that he is ready to play and he will let O'Connell know that every game he is not in the lineup.
McCarthy gets his first start in Week 4 against Green Bay
After the opener on the road against the Giants, the Vikings will host the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans. It will be very difficult for the Vikings to compete for 60 minutes against either team, and losses are likely.
The Vikings face their first division opponent in Week 4 against the Packers, and the Minnesota brain trust will make the move to McCarthy in this game. The Vikings go to London the following week, and giving a rookie his first start overseas seems incongruous. Starting at Lambeau Field will be a major challenge, but McCarthy will be up for it. He will show off his athleticism, arm strength, accuracy and leadership.
He will look like he belongs under center and will perform well enough for O'Connell to know that he made the right decision to make the move at quarterback.
Growing pains likely, but so is steady improvement
McCarthy's first four starts will come against the Packers, Jets, Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams. It is quite likely that Minnesota comes out of that four-game stretch with a 1-3 record.
However, there will be no backtracking or second-guessing. McCarthy will improve in each of those games and he will start to develop true chemistry with Jefferson and Addison.
When the Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9, the team's fans will see the first blush of a starting quarterback who is on his way to transforming into an NFL star. J.J. McCarthy will throw for 300 yards and two touchdowns, and scramble for 4 key first downs as well as 1 touchdown. The Vikings will beat the Colts by two touchdowns and look like a team that is ready to start winning regularly.
The questions about whether the Vikings should have kept Cousins will have been answered, and it will be clear that the Vikings have made the right choice in selecting McCarthy and installing him as the team's starting quarterback.
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