To help quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings are expected to re-sign a $7 million starter.

In the unpredictable and competitive world of the NFL, success is often defined by a combination of talent, leadership, and foresight. For the Minnesota Vikings, one of the league’s teams looking to take a step forward in their quest for a Super Bowl, this season represents an opportunity to solidify their future at quarterback. With the organization possibly eyeing J.J. McCarthy, the standout quarterback from Michigan, as their future franchise signal-caller, the Vikings’ strategy for 2025 may center around giving their young quarterback the best chance to succeed.

The key to this strategy is the potential re-signing of a $7 million starter—a player who, while not the flashiest name in the NFL, is a crucial piece to the Vikings’ offense. This player could play a significant role in easing McCarthy’s transition into the starting role by providing him with crucial experience, leadership, and stability in the locker room.

In this article, we’ll explore why the Minnesota Vikings are expected to re-sign a $7 million starter to help quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the role this player would play in McCarthy’s development, and how this decision fits into the Vikings’ long-term goals as they prepare for a new chapter in their quarterback situation.

Why J.J. McCarthy?

To understand why the Vikings are making this move, it’s important first to focus on J.J. McCarthy and his potential as a franchise quarterback. McCarthy’s rise to prominence at Michigan has been nothing short of impressive. After stepping into a starting role for the Wolverines, McCarthy quickly became known for his strong arm, accuracy, poise, and ability to perform in high-pressure situations. His development under head coach Jim Harbaugh turned him into one of the most highly sought-after quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, with the potential to be an immediate starter.

The Vikings, under the leadership of General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell, have placed a strong emphasis on finding a quarterback who can elevate their offense and guide them toward sustained success. While Kirk Cousins has provided stability and consistent play for the Vikings over the years, the team is increasingly looking toward the future, especially with Cousins entering the latter stages of his career.

McCarthy’s ability to read defenses, his quick release, and his field awareness make him an ideal candidate to lead the team in the coming seasons. But like any young quarterback, McCarthy will need time to develop his skills and adjust to the complexities of the NFL. This is where the Vikings’ plan to re-sign a key starter comes into play.

The $7 Million Starter: A Crucial Piece for J.J. McCarthy’s Development

While the Vikings are setting their sights on McCarthy as the future face of their franchise, they also understand the importance of surrounding him with the right supporting cast. Entering the NFL as a rookie quarterback, McCarthy will need veterans around him to help ease the transition from college football to the professional ranks.

The $7 million starter that the Vikings are expected to re-sign could play a vital role in this regard. While the exact identity of this player is still speculative, the position they fill is key: a veteran leader with experience—most likely a wide receiver, running back, or even a tight end—who can serve as a stabilizing force both on and off the field. This player would offer McCarthy a reliable target, a mentor in the locker room, and an experienced presence to guide him through his early days as the starting quarterback.

This player could take on multiple roles, including:

• Mentoring McCarthy: The ability of an experienced veteran to guide a young quarterback is invaluable. Whether it’s helping him understand the nuances of the Vikings’ playbook or offering advice on how to handle pressure situations, the mentor-like role of this player would be essential in McCarthy’s growth. A $7 million player is often one with a strong leadership presence and a history of on-field success, someone who can show McCarthy the ropes in a professional setting.
• Stabilizing the Offense: A veteran player who has been with the team for a while or who has a proven track record of success in the NFL can serve as a stabilizing presence for a young quarterback. Whether it’s a wide receiver who can make contested catches or a running back who can alleviate some of the pressure on McCarthy by providing balance in the offense, a re-signed veteran could create opportunities for McCarthy to succeed.
• Building Chemistry: Chemistry between a quarterback and his skill-position players is critical for success. With McCarthy expected to start as a rookie, having a trusted veteran in place could speed up the process of building that rapport. This veteran presence would help McCarthy develop more quickly, allowing him to gain confidence in the pocket and trust his weapons to make plays.
• Minimizing Growing Pains: Every rookie quarterback goes through growing pains, and McCarthy will be no different. Having a reliable, experienced starter on the roster would help minimize these growing pains, as the team could rely on this veteran player to carry the offense during McCarthy’s adjustment period. This ensures the Vikings don’t face undue pressure as McCarthy learns the ropes of the NFL.

The Vikings’ Need for Stability Amid Change

The Vikings are currently in a period of transition. With Kirk Cousins’ future uncertain, the team is looking to balance short-term competitiveness with long-term planning. While Minnesota’s defense remains one of the most reliable units in the NFL, the offense has faced inconsistency, especially in high-stakes situations. The arrival of J.J. McCarthy could mark the beginning of a new era, but this era requires careful management to ensure success.

Re-signing a $7 million starter who can contribute immediately is not only about supporting McCarthy; it’s about maintaining stability in an offense that has often fluctuated. The decision to keep this veteran player around helps provide that stability while McCarthy transitions into the starting role.

For the Vikings, this stability is important because they can’t afford to waste time during McCarthy’s development. The NFC North, where the Vikings compete, is a competitive division, and the team must remain relevant in the playoff picture even as they groom a young quarterback for the future.

Possible Candidates for the $7 Million Starter Role

While it is still unclear which specific player the Vikings may choose to re-sign, there are a few logical possibilities based on the team’s current roster composition and salary cap situation. Some key candidates could include:

1. Adam Thielen (Wide Receiver)

One of the most likely candidates is Adam Thielen, the veteran wide receiver who has been with the Vikings for several years. Thielen is a consummate professional and has developed a strong rapport with Kirk Cousins over the years. Although Thielen’s best years might be behind him, he remains an effective receiver and a reliable target in critical situations.

Given Thielen’s experience, leadership, and ability to create separation in the passing game, he could play an important role in mentoring McCarthy. His steady hands and veteran presence on the field would provide McCarthy with a consistent outlet in his first year as a starting quarterback.

2. Dalvin Cook (Running Back)

Another player who could fit this role is Dalvin Cook, the Vikings’ star running back. Cook is not only one of the best runners in the NFL, but he’s also a key piece of Minnesota’s offensive identity. His ability to move the chains, eat up clock, and take pressure off a young quarterback would be invaluable. McCarthy could benefit greatly from a seasoned back like Cook who can take over games when necessary and allow McCarthy to settle into his role.

3. T.J. Hockenson (Tight End)

Since joining the Vikings in 2024, T.J. Hockenson has proven to be a dynamic playmaker at tight end. Hockenson is one of the most talented receiving tight ends in the NFL and could be another crucial target for McCarthy as he enters his rookie season. The familiarity between McCarthy and a seasoned target like Hockenson would be key to McCarthy’s development. As a $7 million player, Hockenson would offer both a security blanket and a weapon that McCarthy can rely on.

The Long-Term Vision: A Balanced Approach to Building a Championship Contender

The re-signing of a $7 million starter is part of a larger long-term strategy by the Minnesota Vikings to ensure sustained success as they transition to a new era with J.J. McCarthy at quarterback. By surrounding McCarthy with veterans who can provide stability and leadership, the Vikings are setting themselves up for success both in the short and long term.

In a division that features tough competition, particularly from teams like the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, the Vikings cannot afford to fall behind while developing their young quarterback. The combination of McCarthy’s talent and the leadership of key veterans on offense could help the team not only remain competitive but also build toward a future where they are consistently contending for championships.

In the years to come, the Vikings’ offense will evolve around McCarthy. However, in the short term, their strategy of re-signing a key veteran will help ensure that McCarthy’s transition to starting quarterback is as smooth as possible, and that the team remains competitive in the NFC playoff race.