The Vikings Have One Burning Question
Last weekend, VikingsTerritory profiled all burning questions for the Minnesota Vikings in 2025. Those can be read here.
During most summers, the Vikings have a handful of questions. But this go-round, there is only one, says CBS Sports.
Fast forward to the start of June, and CBS Sports took a stab at the Vikings’ top burning question, in addition to all of the NFC North, and that outfit agreed with VikingsTerritory.
The 2025 campaign is all about quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
It’s J.J. McCarthy as the Burning Question. Only Him.
Cody Benjamin identified McCarthy’s as Minnesota’s burning question and wrote, “What can J.J. McCarthy bring to the table? This is the money question of the entire division. The Vikings have the makings of a heavyweight. O’Connell is a masterclass in uplifting leadership. Brian Flores’ defense was a crunch-time takeaway machine in 2024.”
“Both fronts have added veteran help, and the weapons are as good as they come, with Aaron Jones, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson all Pro Bowl-caliber talents. Yet their ability to weather a brutal 2025 schedule hinges on the new guy dealing the ball. O’Connell got big-play results from Sam Darnold for much of last year, but J.J. McCarthy is 22 with zero NFL experience.”
McCarthy, drafted by the Vikings in Round 1 last year, missed his entire rookie season with a busted meniscus.
Benjamin added, “Is he ready, in his first-ever pro action, to meet Vikings fans’ abruptly inflated expectations? He’s certainly got the infrastructure to make early waves. But Minnesota knows all too well that things aren’t always as smooth as they seem.”
CBS Sports on the NFC North Overall
Benjamin nailed Minnesota’s top storyline with the McCarthy selection, but also elaborated on the NFC North, on the whole.
He explained, “There is perhaps no NFL division with as much collective intrigue and firepower going into the 2025 season than the NFC North. Producing three different teams with at least 11 wins and a playoff berth in 2024, the formidable quartet figures to be just as, if not more, dangerous come fall and winter.”
“The Detroit Lions are the reigning division champions, ascending all the way to the NFC’s No. 1 seed in Year 4 of the ultra-aggressive Dan Campbell regime. The Green Bay Packers have been right in the thick of the NFC North race, if not atop it, ever since Matt LaFleur arrived in 2019.”
Detroit is favored to win the NFC North for a third consecutive year, with Minnesota and Chicago fighting to avoid last place, according to oddsmakers. The Packers nestle in second place per Vegas.
Benjamin concluded, “The Minnesota Vikings approached a franchise record with 14 wins under Kevin O’Connell in 2024, despite using a rental journeyman at quarterback. And the Chicago Bears appear primed for a leap of their own, one year after taking Caleb Williams No. 1 overall in the draft.”
“Which of the NFC North’s four teams is best equipped to meet or exceed expectations? Is it fair to expect at least three of these teams to once again make the playoffs?”
McCarthy Inherits Glorious Setup
If McCarthy doesn’t show flashes of promise in 2025, well, Minnesota might just be eternally doomed.
McCarthy will inherit the second-best defense in the business from 2024, a quarterback whispering head coach, and weaponry named Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Mason, rookie Tai Felton, and Jalen Nailor.
Should McCarthy play dreadfully, there would have been nothing Minnesota did more sufficiently to set him up for success. Nothing at all.
Sink or Swim for the Vikings’ Big Hope
It’s worth noting that Minnesota is more than ready to afford McCarthy the audition.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did not re-sign Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones in March, two men who could’ve filled “patchover” quarterback duty in 2025.
Adofo-Mensah also resisted the urge to sign Aaron Rodgers, who evidently wanted to play for the Vikings before retiring.
Without taking a regular season snap to date, McCarthy will encounter a sink-or-swim situation.
What about the CB Room?
While not uplifted by CBS Sports, the Vikings’ cornerback room may have a few questions.
Byron Murphy Jr. re-upped with Minnesota this offseason, so the CB1 post is solidified. But at CB2, the situation is murkier.
The Vikings could roll with Isaiah Rodgers, a free agent from the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles. Mekhi Blackmon has returned from a 2024 ACL tear. Minnesota signed third overall pick from the 2020 NFL Draft, Jeff Okudah. And some fans still hold hope for 2024 undrafted free agent Dwight McGlothern.
Aside from Murphy Jr., the CB2 post involves many “maybes,” which is probably why trade theories involving Jalen Ramsey are rampant.
The Vikings could also sign a free-agent corner like Mike Hilton, Asante Samuel Jr., Jack Jones, and Rasul Douglas.
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