Former Lions QB Gives Vikings More Reason to Be Excited About J.J. McCarthy
The Minnesota Vikings are anticipated to have young quarterback J.J. McCarthy leading the offense when the 2025 NFL season kicks off.
After missing his rookie year due to a knee injury, McCarthy is set to make his first regular-season appearance later this year.
Opinions on McCarthy’s potential in 2025 vary. While some doubt his ability to manage a pass-heavy offense, most reports have been positive about what he can contribute to the team.
One aspect of McCarthy’s career that has never been in doubt is his character. The young quarterback has consistently been praised for his dedication, professionalism, and passion for the game.
That praise resurfaced when former Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky shared his thoughts on McCarthy in a post on X. His words should provide reassurance to Vikings fans.
The 22-year-old won a National Championship at the University of Michigan and has never raised concerns regarding his attitude or behavior on or off the field. While this doesn’t necessarily guarantee success on the field, it speaks volumes about the kind of presence he brings to the locker room.
Orlovsky, a 13-year NFL veteran and current ESPN analyst, has been around multiple teams and understands what it takes to succeed in the league, having observed numerous players over the years.
The NFLPA Classic is a golf event where 18 teams of four participate in a relaxed competition filled with skill and good-natured banter. This year, Vikings safety Harrison Smith captained a team that included fellow Minnesota players Adam Thielen, Case Keenum, and J.J. McCarthy.
Other Vikings players at the event included center Ryan Kelly, quarterbacks Josh Dobbs, Brett Rypien, and Trevor Siemian, as well as Jordan Hicks, T.J. Hockenson, Robert Tonyan, Andrew Van Ginkel, Garrett Bradbury, and Brian O’Neill.
Fans can catch the NFLPA Classic on March 25 and 26 at 5 p.m. CST on the Golf Channel. Watching past and present Vikings players enjoy themselves on the golf course could be a fun way to pass the time during the long NFL offseason.