BREAKING🚨: SHOCKING J.J. McCarthy Revelation in QB Rankings Has the Minnesota Vikings Reconsidering Their Future at Quarterback

While the verdict is still out on J.J. McCarthy‘s potential in the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings have evidence as the best possible platform for him to succeed.

In The Athletic’s annual quarterback tiers rankings, voted on by a panel of 50 coaches and executives, McCarthy was unanimously voted as a fourth-tier quarterback and No. 29 overall, not garnering a single vote in any of the other four tiers.

It’s a fair consensus, considering he has yet to play in a regular-season game after missing his rookie year with a meniscus injury. Most voter testimonies discussed more his health than his ability at just 22 years old.

However, if there’s any indication of McCarthy’s potential in Minnesota, it’s elsewhere on the quarterback rankings.

Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold Movement in QB Rankings Offers Vikings Hope on J.J. McCarthy

Coincidentally, Sam Darnold was ranked in the same spot as McCarthy last season at No. 29 in The Athletic’s quarterback tiers rankings.

However, after a year in Minnesota, Darnold revitalized his career to the tune of a 14-win Pro Bowl season. He was the biggest riser in the quarterback rankings, climbing nine spots from No. 29 to No. 20 and into Tier 3.

The biggest faller? Kirk Cousins.

Cousins dropped 12 spots from his ranking a year ago, landing at No. 25 and in Tier 3 this year. Cousins was Tier 3 throughout most of his career but climbed into Tier 2 after a 2022 season where he won 13 games and tied the league record for game-winning drives in Kevin O’Connell‘s first year as head coach.

The Vikings are clearly a quarterback-friendly situation that elevates the position, which should offer nothing but optimism for McCarthy, who was hand-picked by O’Connell to be the team’s quarterback of the future.

NFL Coaches, Execs Share Concerns Over McCarthy

While reading that McCarthy was ranked 29th of 34 quarterbacks is concerning, the voters are not down on McCarthy, but rather waiting to see what he can bring to the table before casting their opinions.

“I would have hope for him with that coach and that system if he can stay healthy,” a former GM told Sando. “He has that slight build. He looked pretty good in the (2024) preseason, in a short period of time. I believe in the head coach and the system. He has the arm strength, he is athletic, he is smart, he has all those things.”

While McCarthy had a healthy college career, the year-long chatter about his recovery from meniscus surgery has permeated into NFL offices.

“I just hope he is not an (injury-prone) guy,” one coach said.

Another head coach pointed to the lack of national buzz around McCarthy, who has had a full year to learn the offense.

“I don’t just hear slam dunk stuff out of there,” the head coach told Sando.

The consensus from local beat reporters has been that McCarthy has performed well, and is progressing, which comes with ups and downs.

This week’s joint practices with the New England Patriots will be the litmus test for McCarthy’s readiness for Week 1 at Soldier Field.

“How healthy is he going to be?” another coach said. “They are only doing one joint camp, with New England. He plays on Monday night at Chicago to open the season. I’m pretty interested to see what that looks like.”