Key Stat Links Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy to Aaron Rodgers, Sam Darnold
When J.J. McCarthy steps on the field in Week 1 for the Minnesota Vikings as they visit the Chicago Bears on “Monday Night Football,” he will be the youngest player lining up under (or behind) center. In doing so, he joins a noteworthy list.
McCarthy missed his rookie season with the Vikings after he suffered a torn meniscus. He remained engaged in the classroom, but missed valuable on-field reps.
That only underscores McCarthy’s age being a “stat to know,” per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.
J.J. McCarthy’s Age Highlights Vikings’ Offseason Decisions
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on before facing the Houston Texans.
“At 22 years old, McCarthy is expected to be the youngest quarterback to start in Week 1 this season,” Sefiert wrote on September 1. “Assuming he starts, McCarthy will be the fourth quarterback over the past 20 seasons to make his first career start on “Monday Night Football” in Week 1 ([Sam] Darnold with the Jets in 2018, Aaron Rodgers with the Packers in 2008, Philip Rivers with the Chargers in 2006).”
"The leadership as a young guy, you don't see that a lot… He's going to be a special Quarterback."
Vikings RB Aaron Jones spoke with @EvanWashburn about his early impressions of J.J. McCarthy pic.twitter.com/tShIMHyxRK
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) July 30, 2025
Darnold spent the 2024 season and made his first Pro Bowl with the Vikings. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency. The Vikings entertained the idea of adding Rodgers (Pittsburgh Steelers) as a replacement, but opted to let McCarthy as QB1 virtually unopposed.
Seifert noted in a post on X that McCarthy’s age will come up frequently between now and even during the Vikings’ season opener.
J.J. McCarthy Set Up for Early Success With Vikings
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on before a game against the New England Patriots.
McCarthy is set up for success in his first season as QB1 for the Vikings, complete with a strong coaching staff helmed by Kevin O’Connell, an aggressive defense led by defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and a roster that features multiple Pro Bowlers.
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson is the star. His affinity for McCarthy, his locker room neighbor, is well-documented.
Their connection is critical for the Vikings.
Those sentiments also come from tight end T.J. Hockenson.
“J.J. is a lot like Staff [Matthew Stafford] and a little like Kirk [Cousins],” Hockenson said, per the Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer, in comments published on August 31. “Just depends on the routes and what we’re doing. ‘I want you here at this time, but on the same hand I want you to get open. I’m going to trust you.’”
McCarthy worked out with Hockenson and returning Vikings wideout Adam Thielen, who also offered glowing praise of the youngster, this offseason.
“He’s got all the things it takes to be a successful player in this league,” Thielen told KSTP Sports in July. “How I’ve gotten to year 13, he’s already got it. He’s got consistency, he’s got that mindset, he’s got all the skills to be able to play at a high level.”
The Vikings need McCarthy to deliver on the encouraging faith placed in him.
J.J. McCarthy Lands on ‘Intriguing’ Watchlist
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on after facing the New England Patriots.
McCarthy will be under the microscope in what will be his rookie season on the field with the Vikings.
He landed the No. 23 spot on The Athletic’s “25 most intriguing players” list.
“The Vikings viewed McCarthy (their first-round pick in 2024) as the answer at QB, but then a preseason knee injury forced him out of the entire season,” The Athletic’s Mike Jones wrote on August 31. “Their confidence in the Michigan product, however, hasn’t waned. Rather than extend Darnold, the Vikings are putting all of their trust in the now-healthy, yet unproven, McCarthy. Can he position the Vikings to challenge Detroit and Green Bay for NFC North supremacy? Or, will Minnesota take steps backward because of his growing pains?”
The Vikings have 2016 No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz. He is on his fifth team in the last five seasons. They also have 2025 undrafted rookie free agent Max Brosmer on the roster. That all further underscores how pivotal McCarthy is to the Vikings’ success in 2025.
AFC Notes: J.K. Dobbins, Bo Nix, Broncos, Chargers
Broncos
Bo Nix is entering the second year of his career after his breakout rookie campaign in 2024. Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning is confident Nix is “made of the right stuff” to continue being a highly successful quarterback.
“Bo is made of the right stuff. He’s a little bit older, carries himself the right way. And all of it should help as he moves forward in his career,” Manning said, via Troy Renck of the Denver Post. “I am just happy that Bo is the established starter. For a number of years, they had quarterback competitions. That’s hard on the receivers, the coaches, the play-caller, and the quarterback. Now, they’ve got their guy.”
Manning thinks Nix showed talent beyond his years as a rookie.
“I just don’t see that as being a big factor for him. Rookie quarterbacks are supposed to struggle, and then the game slows down. But, it sure looked like it slowed down a lot for him last year,” Manning said. “Like with C.J. Stroud, Bo didn’t play like a rookie. … I believe experience is the best teacher, and he got great experience last year.”
Manning added that playing under Sean Payton for a second season should be beneficial for Nix.
“The continuity, more than anything else. There are times when guys go into their second year, and they are going on their third coordinator,” Manning said. “He has an experienced head coach in Sean, who is his play-caller. Having that same voice and verbiage is so critical. We expect Sean to be here for a long time, so Bo will use that to his advantage.”
Broncos
Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins had a resurgence in his career after missing 2022 with a knee injury and 2023 with a torn Achilles. His surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, said he grew a close relationship with Dobbins and praised him for his perseverance.
“I can’t say enough about him,” ElAttrache said, via Luca Evans of The Denver Post. “I mean, he’s the kind of guy that I would like to have as a friend forever. He’s that kind of person.”
ElAttrache pointed out that damaged ligaments can never return to their previous health, but Dobbins has worked hard on his rehab.
“You never want to expect they’re going to be 22 years old again,” ElAttrache said. “You can’t turn back the clock and go before, when he was that number one (running back) for the Ravens. But, having said that, his performance was still right there.”
Chargers
Chargers DC Jesse Minter still holds on to rejection letters from graduate assistant jobs that he applied to across the country, accumulating 98 in total. Minter said the rejections are a reminder to be grateful for where he is now.
“Because that’s just how I operate,” Minter said, via Daniel Popper of The Athletic. “It’s just that reminder of the joy that it is, the blessing that it is, the opportunity that you have, not to take it for granted and not to ever feel like you’ve arrived.”
Minter said he’s always tried to operate without an ego and build a culture of letting people know their value.
“A lot of coaches have crazy egos, and I think there’s a difference in being confident in yourself and sure of yourself, and then having an ego,” Minter said. “I’ve always tried really, really hard to not have an ego, to really try to build a situation where everybody feels like they have value, where everybody feels like they’re part of the success.”
- Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Chargers RB Najee Harris participated in three-straight practices last week and was cleared for contact on Friday.
