The Green Bay Packers boast one of the most talented rosters across the league, but the NFC North might be the most competitive division in football.
As the Chicago Bears roar into the 2025 season with new head coach Ben Johnson at the helm of the franchise, and quarterback Caleb Williams’ development which should be boosted by acquiring veteran linemen Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and Drew Dalman this offseason before drafting playmakers Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III, and the Detroit Lions are betting big on a return to health, the Minnesota Vikings are looking to again make the postseason from a division that sent three teams to the playoffs last fall.
However, the biggest open question for the Vikings is quarterback J.J. McCarthy and how he’ll bounce back from an injury that ended his season last summer during training camp before his rookie season could even begin.
After Minnesota swept the Packers last season, there was is some optimism that the uncertainty surrounding McCarthy could be enough to tilt the scales in Green Bay’s favor in the rivalry this season.
J.J. McCarthy Turning Heads at OTA Practices
While it’s a small sample size, and the Vikings haven’t even put pads on yet, McCarthy is having an impressive spring.
The Packers’ secondaries ability to slow playmaking Vikings wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison is going to go a long way towards Green Bay’s pass rush having the ability to force McCarthy into mistakes as he gets his first taste of NFL action this fall.
Slowing McCarthy and the Vikings’ offense may prove critical to Green Bay handling their rivals in 2025.
