Before making the choice of McCarthy, the Vikings ensured that the infrastructure around him was rock-solid, a move that caught the eye of PFF’s Dalton Wasserman. He highlighted this as the primary reason for optimism about the Vikings’ success in 2024.
J.J. McCarthy was one of the most talked-about players in this year’s draft class. Even those skeptical of his abilities can’t overlook the stellar talent surrounding him in Minnesota. With Justin Jefferson secured by a contract extension, the addition of Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Aaron Jones, and a top-10 offensive line, McCarthy has one of the best support systems a rookie quarterback could wish for.
Moreover, the Vikings boosted their defense by drafting elite pass-rushing talent Dallas Turner and signing solid edge players Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard in free agency. Under Brian Flores’ guidance, the defense is quietly on the rise. There is definitely a scenario where McCarthy could lead Minnesota to the playoffs in his debut year.
However, the Vikings might not need McCarthy to take the reins in 2024. Sam Darnold has significantly impressed the Vikings so far this year and was just named the starting quarterback by Kevin O’Connell.
Although the infrastructure might not benefit McCarthy immediately, it is sure to make a difference for Darnold in 2024 and set McCarthy up for future success. Could the Vikings be a surprise contender in 2024? With the talent they’ve assembled, it’s certainly a possibility.
