The Minnesota Vikings have always made the wrong decisions when it comes to their starting quarterback position but on Tuesday, it seems they have finally made the right one, as a new report from Tom Pelissero reports that the franchise is "moving forward" with former Michigan football quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
The #Vikings have rejected multiple trade calls on J.J. McCarthy, telling other teams they’re moving forward with him as their quarterback, sources say.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 19, 2025
The team plans to add a veteran. But they’re not pursuing Aaron Rodgers at this time. McCarthy now enters the offseason as… pic.twitter.com/oPf6DIvQpj
The Vikings refused to put the franchise tag on Sam Darnold after a Pro Bowl season in which he led the Vikings to the playoffs. However, it was another first-round exit. Minnesota had to decide to invest in Darnold or stick with McCarthy, the Michigan football quarterback they drafted 10th overall in the 2025 NFL draft.
It probably helped that other NFL teams have tried to trade for McCarthy, requests that the Vikings have rejected. So they traded Darnold and will roll with the Michigan football legend.
J.J. McCarthy will be Vikings QB1
McCarthy was a two-year starter for Michigan football. He led the Wolverines to a pair of Big Ten championships and a national championship in 2024.
There was chatter about the Vikings bringing in Aaron Rodgers. However, there was talk that Rodgers wanted a two-year commitment, which could have been a problem. I doubt that McCarthy wants to sit behind Rodgers for the next two years, or behind any quarterback for two years.
Jordan Love did that, but most organizations aren't the Packers. This is a Green Bay sort of move though, which is why you have to respect it for the Vikings. McCarthy is also extremely underrated.
Fans, even some in the NFL, have bought into the narrative that he was some sort of handoff specialist when that couldn't be further from the truth. McCarthy stood out in his lone preseason appearance last year and just like he did with Michigan football, I expect him to hit the ground running.
Put in your NFL Comeback Player of the Year bets in now, Michigan football fans, because it will be J.J. McCarthy time soon enough.