Latest news with #J.J.McCarthy
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
FS1 host dubs Vikings as 'Team of Destiny' for the 2025 season
FS1 host dubs Vikings as 'Team of Destiny' for the 2025 season .@jasonrmcintyre is ALL IN on J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings 🤯 — Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) June 3, 2025 In Batman: The Dark Knight, Harvey Dent says, "You either die the hero or live long enough to become the villain." Well, in a weird way, Fox Sports 1's The Herd has done that same thing in a sort of reverse order. Throughout the offseason, host Colin Cowherd has been critical of the Minnesota Vikings and J.J. McCarthy. The Summer has now come, which means that sports anchors and radio hosts are taking their breaks while the seasons are on a break, which is where The Herd comes into play as they bring in Jason McIntyre to guest host the show. During one of the shows this week, McIntyre expressed his belief in the Vikings, a belief that is the opposite of Cowherd's. "I am coming out right now and telling all of America I'm all in on J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings, they will play in the NFC Championship this year. ... I am all in on this team." McIntrye could not be more excited if he tried when talking about the Vikings and he explained what made him go all in on this version of Minnesota football. "There's a couple things at play: Without any prompting, Aaron Jones has not stopped talking about J.J. McCarthy. The leadership — the dude's got it, sometimes you just have it. ... Jim Harbaugh, who knows a little bit about football, loves J.J. McCarthy. The team of destiny this year is the Minnesota Vikings." While Colin Cowherd is away, one has to wonder what he thinks of such an opposite take of one that he has been so vocal about this offseason.
USA Today
7 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Vikings fans no longer will be hearing the team attached to one free agent QB
Vikings fans no longer will be hearing the team attached to one free agent QB The Vikings fanbase can finally sit back in their La-Z-Boy recliners and let out a big sigh of relief while wearing their J.J. McCarthy jerseys. On Thursday, Aaron Rodgers did his best effort to make himself the news on a busy day when it was announced that he would be signing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former MVP and NFC North rival of the Vikings heads to Pittsburgh, hoping to extend a career that has been fledgling ever since he left Green Bay and the NFC North. For most of the offseason, there were rumblings that the Vikings and Rodgers had a common interest in establishing a relationship. Nothing ever materialized, and now nothing will as the team goes full steam ahead with their 2024 first-round draft pick, J.J. McCarthy. Rodgers going to Pittsburgh, though, does not mean he is completely off the mind of the Vikings or their fans. The Vikings will travel to Dublin, Ireland, in Week 4 to face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ironically, it will mark the second straight year the Vikings and Rodgers will face off on the continent of Europe. Last year, they played each other in London when the former MVP was a member of the Jets.
Fox Sports
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 Bears game-by-game predictions: Playoffs in Year 1 under Ben Johnson?
I'm optimistic about the Chicago Bears. There's a sentence I haven't said in a while. They've done everything right (and differently!) this offseason, and it looks like they'll be much improved this season. However, that doesn't necessarily mean the Bears will be in the playoffs or win the NFC North. They still have to walk before they can run. After winning just five games last season, the bar for improvement is pretty low. I think they'll surpass their 2024 win total, but let's not get carried away with expectations again in Ben Johnson's first year as head coach. There will still be an adjustment period as the team gets used to his system and as he learns his roster. With that in mind, here's an early look and prediction for each game on Chicago's schedule. Week 1: vs. Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Sept. 8 CHI -115, MIN -105 At home in what will presumably be Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy's first start, I think the Bears have the upper hand. That is, if Brian Flores' defense isn't already in midseason form. Result: Win, 1-0 record Week 2: at Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 14 (FOX) CHI +180, DET -218 The NFL schedule makers wasted no time bringing Ben Johnson back to Detroit, and there's going to be so much extra juice there that I think the Bears can propel themselves to a win for their new coach. It also may take some time for the new coordinators in Detroit to get their footing, as well as defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to return to form. Result: Win, 2-0 record Week 3: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Sept. 21 (FOX) CHI -155, DAL +130 Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will be back from injury and a couple of weeks into the groove of the new season. Dallas added more weapons for him as well as help up front, so I would count on a strong start to the season for the Cowboys. Result: Loss, 2-1 record Week 4: at Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 28 CHI -120, LV +100 This is a complete toss-up with the overhaul that happened in Vegas this offseason. I'm betting it's early enough in the season that the Raiders haven't found their stride quite yet. On paper, Chicago has the better team, too. Result: Win, 3-1 record Week 5: BYE Week 6: at Washington Commanders, Monday, Oct. 13 CHI +164, WSH -198 Chicago will be itching to avenge last year's loss to Washington on an insane Hail Mary, but as the Rolling Stones told us, you can't always get what you want. The Commanders only got better from last season and still have a ton of momentum coming off a deep playoff run that saw them challenge for the NFC title way ahead of schedule. Result: Loss, 3-2 record Week 7: vs. New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 19 (FOX) CHI -325, NO +260 This is one of the only benefits of this year's fourth-place schedule. The Saints will presumably be relying on a rookie to be their starting quarterback, and they still have holes all over their roster. It doesn't seem like their bounce back is coming this season, so this should be a win for Chicago. Result: Win, 4-2 record Week 8: at Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 26 CHI +245, BAL -305 Playing Lamar Jackson is always a challenge, but playing him in Baltimore will be especially difficult. Result: Loss, 4-3 record Week 9: at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 2 CHI +136, CIN -162 Getting the AFC North was really a tough straw to draw for the NFC North, which is already the toughest division in football. Sure, the Bengals finished in third place in their division last season, but with some shakeups and retentions this offseason, I don't expect Cincinnati to be down for long. Result: Loss, 4-4 record Week 10: vs. New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 9 (FOX) CHI -218, NYG +180 There are a lot of question marks with the Giants still, perhaps not who will start at quarterback in Week 1 but certainly in Week 10. They also still need a ton of help along the offensive line, so this should work in Chicago's favor. Result: Win, 5-4 record Week 11: at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 16 (FOX) CHI +110, MIN -130 I think it's a pipe dream for any NFC North team to sweep a division rival this year. The Bears have been the division punching bag for the past few seasons under Matt Eberflus, so splitting the season series in Johnson's first year is a big win for them. Result: Loss, 5-5 record Week 12: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Nov. 23 CHI -130, PIT +110 The Steelers' defense is still formidable, but I think any team can win against them as long as they don't have a franchise guy under center. It's hard to say what exactly Aaron Rodgers is at this point. Result: Win, 6-5 record Week 13: at Philadelphia Eagles, Friday, Nov. 28 CHI +250, PHI -310 A year ago, Chicago came out of Thanksgiving weekend in search of a new head coach, so a date with the defending champs at their place actually marks a slight improvement. The Eagles never seem to take a true step back, even after reaching the mountaintop thanks to general manager Howie Roseman's team-building efficiency. Result: Loss, 6-6 record Week 14: at Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 7 (FOX) CHI +154, GB -185 Winning back-to-back games at Lambeau would really solidify Johnson and quarterback Caleb Willliams as the future of the Bears franchise. For that reason, I think there remains some mystery about Chicago losing to the team up north in their first meeting of the season. Result: Loss, 6-7 record Week 15: vs. Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 14 (FOX) CHI -298, CLE +240 I want there to be hope for the Browns, but I just don't think that happens as long as they're hamstrung by Deshaun Watson's contract. Next year should be a fresh start, but until then, I think they're the game every team is circling as a win on their schedules. Result: Win, 7-7 record Week 16: vs. Green Bay Packers, Saturday, Dec. 20 (FOX) CHI +100, GB -120 The Bears get to avenge their loss at Lambeau with a win at Soldier Field — a place Jordan Love is unbeaten at. That's encouraging in its own right as the Bears start to wrap up the first season of the Johnson era. Result: Win, 8-7 record Week 17: at San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 28 CHI +150, SF -180 It's a tough trip, and the 49ers shouldn't be a rollover opponent despite their fourth-place finish in the NFC West last year. They're the reason this is not the year to be playing a last-place schedule. Result: Loss, 8-8 record Week 18: vs. Detroit Lions, TBD CHI +102, DET -122 It can't all be a fairy tale. With a potential playoff berth on the line, Chicago again draws one of its toughest opponents. The Lions will have found their groove by this point and probably be staring down another postseason berth, too, if not the NFC North crown. Result: Loss Overall record: 8-9 Carmen Vitali is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. Carmen had previous stops with The Draft Network and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She spent six seasons with the Bucs, including 2020, which added the title of Super Bowl Champion (and boat-parade participant) to her résumé. You can follow Carmen on Twitter at @CarmieV . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Newsweek
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Vikings, JJ McCarthy Receive Shocking 2025 Prediction
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Minnesota Vikings are beginning a new era of football during the 2025 NFL season with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy taking over as the starter. After a big-time season in 2024 from Sam Darnold, the team saw him leave in free agency to sign a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Daniel Jones also left town in free agency to sign with the Indianapolis Colts. While many thought the Vikings could be a landing spot for Aaron Rodgers, they decided to roll with McCarthy. Behind him, Minnesota did acquire Sam Howell from the Seahawks to be McCarthy's primary backup. J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings participates in a drill during training camp on August 02, 2024 in Eagan, Minnesota. J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings participates in a drill during training camp on August 02, 2024 in Eagan, Minnesota. Photo byNo one knows what to expect from McCarthy this season. He missed all of last season due to a knee injury that he suffered during preseason action. Read more: Vikings' Justin Jefferson Sends Clear Message to JJ McCarthy Despite the valuable missed time, the Vikings have full faith in McCarthy. He was drafted with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to be a starter and now he'll have a chance to prove the franchise right for believing in him. Ahead of the upcoming 2025 campaign, Minnesota and McCarthy have received a shocking prediction. During a fill-in appearance on "The Herd," Jason McIntyre of FS1 did not hold back his opinion on the Vikings and McCarthy. He is expecting huge things from the team in 2025. "I am coming out right now and telling all of America I'm all in on J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings," McIntyre said. "They will play in the NFC Championship this year. ... I am all in on this team." McIntyre continued forward, doubling down with his belief that Minnesota is in for a special season with McCarthy leading the way. Read more: Steelers Linked to Possible Trade With Packers for Aaron Rodgers Support "There's a couple things at play: Without any prompting, Aaron Jones has not stopped talking about J.J. McCarthy. The leadership — the dude's got it," he said. "Sometimes you just have it. ... Jim Harbaugh, who knows a little bit about football, loves J.J. McCarthy. The team of destiny this year is the Minnesota Vikings." If McCarthy can come in and lead the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game in his first year as a starter, he will instantly quiet all of the doubters. He has a proven track record of winning and will look to bring that success to a franchise that has never won a Super Bowl. With the young quarterback leading the way, McIntyre sees something special brewing in Minnesota. It will be interesting to see if he's right. For more Minnesota Vikings and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
PFF makes an obvious choice for the Vikings biggest x-factor in 2025
PFF makes an obvious choice for the Vikings biggest x-factor in 2025 The Minnesota Vikings are returning most of their significant contributors in 2025, giving them one of the strongest rosters in the league outside of quarterback. With J.J. McCarthy replacing Sam Darnold, the Vikings' season could have a wide range of outcomes. That's part of the reason that PFF ranked the Vikings' roster as the eighth-best in the league last week. And it's the reason McCarthy was PFF's choice for "X-Factor For 2025". All eyes will be on McCarthy after he played in just one preseason game last season before he was shut down with a knee injury. He recorded an excellent 84.0 PFF passing grade in that lone appearance, but his acclimation to the starting job will be the key to Minnesota's success. With a talented unit around him and one of the NFL's best play-callers, Kevin O'Connell, running the show, McCarthy should be able to thrive in a complementary role. As PFF states, McCarthy will be given every opportunity to succeed, something that not every rookie from the 2024 draft class had the luxury of last season. In three seasons under O'Connell, only 2023 fifth-rounder Jaren Hall has found no on-field success with extended playing time. Even that performance was such an outlier that it's hard to criticize anyone involved, including Hall. If McCarthy can pick up where Darnold left off, the 2025 Vikings should be returning to the playoffs. If he can elevate his play in the postseason, the Vikings could be returning to the NFC Championship for the first time since 2017.
