Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy and his 'growth hurdles' remain an issue

It's no secret that the quarterback play from the Minnesota Vikings in 2025 was a tough watch, to say the least. However, through three different starters, this team still mustered a 9-8 record, including winning five straight to close out the year.

We can expect this to be a very fluid situation this offseason, as the Vikings could go in a multitude of directions. But, while at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, The Athletic's Alec Lewis got some information from people around the league regarding Minnesota's former first-round pick:

"The word used by more than a handful of team sources to describe McCarthy’s play was inconsistent. . .The Vikings also knew they were drafting a young player. What they did not envision, especially following an encouraging first training camp that preceded his torn meniscus, was the challenge posed by some of the more elemental aspects of being the face of a franchise. These growth hurdles have become widely known among NFL executives and coaches, and they were frequent topics in Indianapolis."

Much of the struggles this season came from second-year man J.J. McCarthy, whether it was his lack of availability or his play when he was on the field. If the mental reps are not even cutting it then something will have to give

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: J.J. McCarthy and his 'growth hurdles' remain a talking point