> At a Glance
> – The Vikings’ plan to develop J.J. McCarthy while staying competitive failed in 2024
> – McCarthy has started only 10 games across two seasons due to injuries and accuracy issues
> – Minnesota missed the playoffs by a half-game, ending the year 9-8
> – Why it matters: The franchise must now decide whether to commit to McCarthy or seek alternatives amid severe salary-cap constraints
Minnesota’s bold strategy of grooming rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy without sacrificing wins collapsed this season, leaving the franchise with another unsettled offseason at football’s most important position.
The McCarthy Question
Coach Kevin O’Connell refused to endorse McCarthy as the 2025 starter after Sunday’s finale, saying only: “I can’t wait to work with him in the offseason and absolutely look forward to the continued development.”
The 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft has shown flashes of potential but remains a mystery after injuries limited him to eight complete starts in two years. When healthy, accuracy problems prompted the team to explore backup options.
McCarthy acknowledged his tenuous grip on the job: “There’s nothing promised… You rent it and you lease it every single day.”
What Could Have Been
A five-game winning streak to close the season left Minnesota agonizingly close to the postseason. The difference-maker: a Week 11 kickoff coverage breakdown against Chicago that allowed Devin Duvernay’s 56-yard return to set up the Bears’ walk-off field goal.
Win that game and the Vikings would have captured the NFC North crown.
Instead, they finished third and face a 2025 schedule that includes road dates at San Francisco (12-5) instead of Arizona (3-14) and home games against Indianapolis (8-9) rather than Tennessee (3-14).
Offensive Breakdown
Minnesota’s once-explosive attack plummeted to the NFL basement in multiple categories:
- Last in turnovers, interceptions and third-down conversions
- 31st in sack percentage
- Needed all 17 games to get Justin Jefferson his sixth straight 1,000-yard season
Defensive Strength
Coordinator Brian Flores orchestrated a dominant unit that ranked:
- 2nd in red-zone touchdown rate and sack percentage
- 3rd in yards allowed
- 7th in points against
Flores, whose contract expires, becomes a head-coaching candidate again. Veteran Harrison Smith appeared to bid farewell after 14 seasons.
Cap Crunch Coming
The Vikings enter the offseason with the NFL’s second-worst salary-cap situation, complicating any quarterback pursuit. They must trim multiple key veterans before adding talent.
Potential casualties include defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Center Ryan Kelly’s future is uncertain after multiple concussions.
Draft Assets
Minnesota owns the 18th overall pick plus its original second and third-round selections. The team also holds five Day 3 picks and expects compensatory selections for last year’s departures of Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones.
Key Takeaways
- McCarthy’s development has stalled after just 10 starts in two seasons
- The Vikings need significant offensive line depth
- Flores may leave for a head-coaching job after building a top-five defense
- Cap constraints limit options at quarterback
- A single special-teams lapse potentially cost Minnesota a division title
The franchise that has cycled through countless quarterbacks since Daunte Culpepper faces another critical decision at the position, this time with limited resources and rising pressure to compete immediately.
