Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has reportedly "checked critical boxes early on" while serving as the club's full-time starter for the first time this summer. That doesn't mean the 2024 first-round draft pick was flawless across his first training camp practices after a meniscus repair sidelined him for his entire rookie season.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy isn’t technically a rookie because he was drafted in 2024, but he’s effectively one after missing his rookie season with a knee injury.

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.