The Minnesota Vikings are set to hand over control of their 14-win team to second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Although McCarthy didn’t see any action during the 2024 regular season, starting running back Aaron Jones has full confidence in him.
Jones, who re-signed with the team on a two-year, $20 million deal this offseason, pointed to McCarthy’s track record as a reason to believe in his potential.
“He’s a winner,” Jones said during an appearance on Good Morning Football on April 10. “From high school to college, he’s only lost one game. If not for an injury, there might’ve been a real quarterback competition. He’s got a different mindset—he’s a fierce competitor, he wants to be great, and he’s hungry. You’ll see it once he gets on the field.”
“He approaches everything with precision,” Vikings star running back Aaron Jones told the Good Morning Football crew. “Even though he didn’t play this season, he’s been studying—he made a list of defensive players across the league and ranked them.”
Jones praised McCarthy’s commitment and preparation, saying, “He’s all in, and I’m genuinely excited to share the backfield with him—whether it’s taking handoffs or catching passes.”
Now entering the second year of his four-year, $21.8 million rookie deal, McCarthy gives the Vikings valuable roster flexibility moving forward.
J.J. McCarthy to Benefit From Vikings 1-2 Punch of Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason RB
J.J. McCarthy stands to benefit from head coach Kevin O’Connell’s plan to implement a two-back system featuring Aaron Jones and offseason trade addition Jordan Mason.
“The Vikings view Jones as their lead back, and they backed that up financially—paying him $20 million over two years—more than they spent to bring in Mason from the 49ers,” ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported on April 6. “Still, Mason won’t be used like a typical backup.”
O’Connell has made it clear, both before and after Mason’s acquisition, that he intends to reduce the workload on Jones, who set career highs last season in snaps (700), carries (255), and total touches (306).
While Jordan Mason is expected to give Aaron Jones a breather on certain series, head coach Kevin O’Connell hinted at even broader responsibilities for Mason—especially in areas where the Vikings have historically struggled.
In 2024, with veteran quarterback Sam Darnold leading the offense, Minnesota ranked 14th in rushing attempts. A shift in their run-pass balance under J.J. McCarthy could yield positive results moving forward.
Vikings Beefed Up Offensive Line
The Vikings have already made several offseason moves aimed at setting up J.J. McCarthy, Aaron Jones, and Jordan Mason for success in 2025. Among the most praised were the signings of former Colts offensive linemen Ryan Kelly and Will Fries.
Minnesota is counting on those additions to bolster a line that ranked 18th in pass protection and 16th in run blocking last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
ESPN’s Benjamin Solak applauded the team’s aggressive approach, saying they acted like “true contenders” in free agency.
“I really liked the investment in the offensive line,” Solak wrote on March 26. “Fries was one of my favorite underrated free agents — he’s one of the best players that nobody talks about. If he’s fully recovered from his tibia injury, he could even make a run at the Pro Bowl at guard.”
“I expected the Vikings to stick with Garrett Bradbury at center, accepting his pass-blocking shortcomings in exchange for his strength in the run game,” Solak noted. “But instead, they made the kind of move contenders make—looking to upgrade not just at weak spots, but at average ones too. It may not be a sure thing—Kelly is 31 while Bradbury is 29—but it’s a worthwhile gamble.”
With a well-rounded cast of offensive weapons, headlined by Aaron Jones, Minnesota looks as close to plug-and-play as it gets for a young, inexperienced quarterback like J.J. McCarthy.