ESPN Analyst Stirs Debate Over JJ McCarthy, Vikings Super Bowl Chances
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Following their impressive 14-3 season last year, the Minnesota Vikings have a high bar to live up to in 2025.
While most of their roster was kept intact, the Vikings' biggest wild card just happens to play the most important position.
J.J. McCarthy is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in college football history, but he's still an unproven commodity in the NFL, and he has big shoes to fill after Sam Darnold revived his career with a monster 4,319-yard, 35-touchdown season that he parlayed into a $100 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks.
Most analysts agree that the Vikings will only go as far in 2025 as McCarthy can take them, which ESPN analyst and former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum believes is pretty far.
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J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 9, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 9, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota."Absolutely [the Vikings are Super Bowl contenders]," Tannenbaum said Friday on "Get Up." "I'm going to go with the combination of Kevin O'Connell, J.J. McCarthy and Brian Flores — that's going to be really hard to beat. I agree, there's going to be some growing pains on defense, but they'll still bring pressure. I can't wait for that opening-night game in Chicago.
"But what J.J. McCarthy can do — he's a full-field quarterback. And again, Justin Jefferson, if he's not the best receiver, outside of Ja'Marr Chase — he probably is. But when you have difference-makers like they do, I know Addison is going to miss a couple of games, but you can put their roster up against almost anybody with what should be a really good, young, emerging quarterback."
Tannebaum's comments appeared to spark a debate on social media, bringing about a mixed bag of reactions.
"Tannebaum is the king of hot takes Vikings roster is stacked but jj is not doing what Sam Darnold did last season," one fan wrote.
"So a qb that has never taken an nfl snap has a better chance at a Super Bowl than other QBs and teams lmao talk about click bait takes," another agreed.
"I need them to realize who the QB is. He has done absolutely NOTHING in the NFL. College was okay. The Bears should run through them in game one," a third fan chimed in.
"Ur right he won't choke in the Playoffs like Darnold did. @jjmccarthy09
will lead the @Vikings MUCH farther!" one user argued.
"The hype is real," another user replied.
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.@RealTannenbaum says the Vikings are Super Bowl contenders 👀
"You could put their roster up against almost anybody." pic.twitter.com/fjKyIeWKP6 — Get Up (@GetUpESPN) August 15, 2025
McCarthy missed his entire rookie season after tearing the meniscus in his right knee last preseason.
He made his long-awaited return in Minnesota's 20-10 win over the Houston Texans in its preseason opener last week, completing 4 of 7 passes for 30 yards and shaking off the year-long rust.
Though he only played a handful of plays, O'Connell raved about what he saw from his second-year QB.
"I love the fact that we were able to hit an explosive play in the pass game," O'Connell said, via ESPN. "I love the fact that we converted some third downs. I love the fact that on the fourth down, he used his legs to 'steal one.' And I think there's just a level of composure and poise to how he ran the show. That was exactly what I was looking for —and now we go back to work."
Though there is quite a bit of pressure on McCarthy to step in and perform right away, the 22-year-old has one of the best supporting casts in the NFL.
Running back Aaron Jones ranked ninth in the league in rushing last season (1,138 yards), while Jefferson ranked second in receiving (1,533 yards), and two-time Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson is among the best at his position when healthy.
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