The Vikings Are on Comeback Watch
The Minnesota Vikings will kickstart organized team activities (OTAs) in four days, training camp in two months, and the regular season in about 15 weeks.
According to Pro Football Focus, J.J. McCarthy represents one of the Top 10 players on “comeback watch” for 2025.
Folks are excited about the team’s trajectory after general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah spent millions in free agency to fortify an already impressive depth chart.
In addition to welcoming several new players, the Vikings will welcome 22-year-old quarterback J.J. McCarthy back into the mix, and according to Pro Football Focus, he’s one of the Top 10 comeback stories in the NFL this year.
J.J. McCarthy on PFF’s Comeback Watch List
PFF’s Ryan Smith nominated 10 players for “comeback watch” in 2025, and McCarthy checked in at No. 6.
Smith wrote, “One of the most intriguing storylines of the 2025 season will be how the Vikings look with J.J. McCarthy under center. The former first-round pick missed his entire rookie campaign after suffering a season-ending meniscus tear in the preseason opener last August. Sam Darnold stepped in admirably in his absence, guiding Minnesota to a 14–3 record and earning a career-best 80.7 PFF grade — 13th among 42 qualifying quarterbacks.”
“At Michigan, McCarthy was one of the nation’s top signal-callers in his final season, posting an elite 90.6 PFF grade and ranking sixth in adjusted completion percentage (80.0%).”
McCarthy takes the keys to a franchise that hasn’t successfully utilized a quarterback it drafted since Daunte Culpepper — in 1999.
Smith added, “Now healthy, McCarthy steps into a favorable situation in Minnesota with strong skill-position talent and an upgraded offensive line. Despite playing in a stacked NFC North, the Vikings currently sit at +100 to surpass 8.5 wins this season, per FanDuel Sportsbook — a bet that could hinge on how quickly McCarthy finds his footing.”
Here’s the criteria Smith used for comeback watch: “With OTAs kicking off this week, teams and fans are officially shifting focus from offseason roster building to preparation for the 2025 season. For players recovering from major injuries, OTAs mark a pivotal milestone in the rehab process. For some, it’s their first time navigating a serious setback. For others, it’s a familiar road they hope leads to full recovery and renewed impact.”
“Several key players returning from injury will shape the 2025 NFL season: Stars like Christian McCaffrey, Aidan Hutchinson and Dak Prescott are expected to resume pivotal roles after missing significant time in 2024, with each returning to teams that struggled in their absence.”
McCarthy Hasn’t Actually Debuted Yet
It’s a bit comical that McCarthy pulled down a comeback nomination — because he’s never taken a regular season snap.
The young passer played one preseason game last August, looked phenomenal, and tore his meniscus along the way.
He opted for the longer-term surgery to ensure an optimal recovery for 2026 and beyond, and here we are.
But the man hasn’t technically played in the NFL yet, making his case for a comeback a little head-scratching.
Full Health Intact
Thankfully for McCarthy and the team’s sake, his injury last summer was “only a meniscus” and not an ACL tear or something more grim like an Achilles injury.
McCarthy followed a standard meniscus recovery timeline, encountered no setbacks, and is ready by spring 2025 for his QB1 assignment.
The recovery process wasn’t necessarily swift, but with the 2024 season fully in the rearview and 2025 rapidly approaching, McCarthy is a full go for his maiden voyage season with no restrictions.
Other “Comeback” Vikings
A handful of other Vikings players will eye comeback endeavors as well. The list might include:
- Mekhi Blackmon (CB)
- Christian Darrisaw (LT)
- Will Fries (G)
- Will Reichard (K)
Blackmon and Darrisaw tore ACLs in 2024 — Blackmon’s before the regular season even began. Fries played five games in Indianapolis last year before breaking his leg. And Reichard injured his quad in the middle of the season, but didn’t seem to fully bounce back as a rookie.
Christian McCaffrey Leads the Way per PFF
On Smith’s comeback watchlist, San Francisco 49ers tailback Christian McCaffrey led the way.
Smith explained, “McCaffrey missed the first eight games of the 2024 season with bilateral Achilles issues, then later suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee against Buffalo, landing him on injured reserve and ending his season.”
“Without their All-Pro running back, the 49ers struggled, finishing 6–11 after winning 35 games from 2021 to 2023.”
The Vikings traded for McCaffrey’s replacement from 2024, running back Jordan Mason, in March.
Smith added, “In 2022 and 2023, McCaffrey was the most complete back in football, earning 90.0-plus PFF grades in both seasons while forcing 155 missed tackles, the most in the league during that span. Last month, he reported having ‘zero restrictions’ as the 49ers began their offseason program.”
“He’ll be a critical piece for a San Francisco team looking to reassert itself in the NFC after three straight conference title game appearances.”
With McCarthy in charge, the Vikings are expected to tabulate about 8.5 wins. Oddsmakers predicted 6.5 wins last year for the purple team, and it won 14.
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