After the Minnesota Vikings chose him over incumbent starter Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy’s expectations are even higher in 2025 than they were a year ago. Although fans remain split on his potential, Vikings safety Josh Metellus voiced the team’s confidence in their new quarterback.

Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report believes that because he didn't play in 2024, McCarthy's 2025 season should be treated as his rookie season. McCarthy is ranked last among the six quarterbacks in expected improvement because of his lost rookie year.

It was a good day for the Vikings' depth tight ends. Ben Yurosek had one of the highlights of the practice with a leaping touchdown catch from Howell in red zone 7s, but Bryson Nesbit and Giovanni Ricci made some plays as well. With Gavin Bartholomew on the PUP list, those first three guys are competing for the TE3 role, as things stand.