The Minnesota Vikings have officially designated J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback for the 2025 NFL season, following a focused period of rehabilitation and development. Head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed enthusiasm about McCarthy’s physical recovery and readiness as the team prepares for the upcoming year.

McCarthy’s Recovery and Commitment Impress Vikings Leadership

After enduring a challenging rookie year marked by a knee injury, McCarthy devoted significant time and effort toward regaining full health and improving his skills. O’Connell highlighted the quarterback’s dedication, noting that many hours have been spent working with the team’s training and strength staff to restore his physical condition and arm strength.

You guys have heard me say it throughout the offseason, but there’s been a lot of lonely hours where it’s him and the training staff and the strength staff, and just the work he’s put in to get his body where he’s at, his arm feeling the way it is, and then of course, coming off the injury, his lower body feeling as good as it does to move the way he’s doing,

O’Connell said, via Lindsey Young of the team’s website.

But he looks great. He’s feeling really good. Now we’ve gotta stack a lot of really good days of spring together.

Early Signs of McCarthy’s Football IQ and Growth Potential

Although McCarthy’s on-field experience is limited compared to peers from his draft class, Vikings coaches have been impressed with his mental grasp of the playbook and eagerness to learn. O’Connell described surprise at how well McCarthy recalls complex plays from brief teaching sessions late in the previous season.

I’ve been really surprised by some of the things that he does know. You’re like, ‘Man, we covered that in a 10-minute burst in Week 11 last year; how do you remember that?’ And then there’s some other things where you’re like, ‘Oh, I assumed he knew that.’ So it’s our job, baseline teaching and stacking days and layered learning, so that we’re constantly making him feel like he’s growing — but never comfortable. Never satisfied on any particular outcome, because we’re building toward something much greater than just a single play here or there.

Support and Development Behind the Scenes

McCarthy’s progress can be attributed in part to the collaborative efforts of Minnesota’s training and strength staff. Their guidance has been critical in helping the young quarterback regain mobility and build confidence in his throwing mechanics. This foundational work is essential as the Vikings aim to maximize McCarthy’s potential as their lead quarterback.

Context of NFL Moves Around the League

While the Vikings prepare to rely heavily on McCarthy, other NFL teams are also making strategic additions. Chicago recently selected second-round offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo, whose intelligence and technique have impressed Bears head coach Ben Johnson during early practices aimed at protecting quarterback Caleb Williams.

He’s exactly what we thought he was going to be,

Johnson said, via Kevin Fishbain and Adam Jahns of The Athletic.

He’s super smart. We had a meeting (Thursday) night with them. Meeting this morning with them. And he’s able to apply those concepts to the field immediately, so he’s very advanced in that regard. Technique, fundamentals, he takes those seriously, something we talked about this morning as a team, transferring the little things that Coach Roushar, (assistant offensive line) coach (Kyle) DeVan are talking about in that meeting room and being able to apply them immediately. It’s really impressive for a young guy.

Trapilo has demonstrated adaptability, preparing to play multiple positions on the offensive line, and appreciates the challenge of learning new techniques and coaching styles.

In a way, if you’re more used to playing right tackle at speed and you’re still consistent with left, you feel good at left, it’s almost easier when you’re learning new technique because you don’t get into that flow state,

Trapilo explained.

You know your habits are all coming back, you’re hyper-focused on every movement because it’s not as natural. So in a way it feels smoother, it feels easier to adapt to this new coaching style, new techniques and all of the above.

In Green Bay, linebacker Isaiah Simmons emphasized the importance of scheme fit in his decision to join the Packers, who intend to utilize him at both WILL and SAM linebacker positions. Simmons praised the Packers’ system as the most comfortable he has experienced in his NFL career.

The NFL, a big part of it is about what situation you’re in and where you’re at,

Simmons said via Ryan Wood.

Placement matters, and every system doesn’t fit everybody. I feel like this is the most comfortable in a system I’ve been since I’ve been in the league. Of course you want to be somewhere through your whole career, but I would rather be in a better system than be in one team the whole time.

Additional Green Bay roster moves include the hiring of Dan Zegers, former Midwest area scout for the Cleveland Browns, and positive health updates from running back MarShawn Lloyd, who reported being fully recovered and able to perform at his peak.

Looking Ahead to a Promising 2025 Season with McCarthy

As the Vikings move into the 2025 campaign, J.J. McCarthy’s elevation to starting quarterback signals a vote of confidence in both his physical recovery and growing command of the offense. With meticulous preparation continuing through spring practices, the team is focused on building consistency and fostering steady improvement that extends beyond individual plays. McCarthy’s story of dedication and resilience raises hopes that he will play a pivotal role in the Vikings’ pursuit of success this season.