Following the Seattle Seahawks’ recent Super Bowl victory led by Sam Darnold, attention has turned to the Minnesota Vikings’ controversial choice to move on from Darnold and name J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback for the 2025 season. On Wednesday, former Vikings linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks publicly voiced their concerns about how the team has approached McCarthy’s development at the quarterback position.
Barr stated,
“Most people in that building knew that J.J. just wasn’t quite ready yet. I think he needed an older mentor to kind of shadow for another two years.”
Kendricks emphasized the importance of guidance, saying,
“Mentorship is crucial. There’s some positions where it pays to have a veteran in front of you, and a little bit of experience goes a long way. I mean, we see the resurgence of Sam Donald’s career.”
Barr added,
“The city’s dying for a champ. The state’s dying for one.”
Kendricks agreed, and Barr continued,
“I think [McCarthy] still has potential. I think he can still be great. He’s a quarterback. He’s a year two, right? Year two, playing full-time.”
Kendricks concluded, “We’re not counting him out.” Barr expressed some regret over the team’s decisions, stating,
“I think they do regret not signing a vet to let J.J. learn from for another one or two years. I mean, quarterbacks, they’re not granted or afforded the same patience that a lot of different position players are given.”
Insights from Veterans on the Importance of Experience in Quarterback Development
Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks bring extensive NFL experience, both within the Vikings organization and across the league, offering valuable insights into what typically benefits quarterbacks early in their careers. Their comments highlight the missed opportunity for the Vikings to provide McCarthy with veteran mentorship that could have been crucial for his growth.
Although Minnesota signed Carson Wentz last year, the timing of his acquisition—right before the regular season—meant McCarthy did not have the chance to work closely with Wentz during crucial offseason programs such as OTAs and training camp. This lack of continuous veteran presence may have hindered McCarthy’s development as a starting quarterback.
Lack of Established Quarterbacks in Vikings’ Offseason Limits Growth Prospects
During the 2025 offseason, the Vikings’ quarterback room was notably thin on players with proven NFL success. Apart from McCarthy and rookie Max Brosmer, who had no professional starts, the other options were Sam Howell and Brett Rypien, who collectively held a disappointing 7-15 record as starters prior to 2025. This lack of experienced leadership in the quarterback ranks has likely contributed to the uncertainty surrounding McCarthy’s progress.
Looking ahead, if the Vikings intend to keep McCarthy as their starting quarterback for the 2026 season, adding a seasoned veteran to support him during offseason practices and camps should be a priority. Such a move would give McCarthy the opportunity to gain hands-on mentorship from a proven leader, increasing his chances of fulfilling his potential on the field.
Implications for the Vikings’ Future and Quarterback Strategy
The concerns raised by Barr and Kendricks underscore the challenges faced by the Vikings in managing the delicate process of quarterback development. Their insights suggest that investing in veteran leadership not only aids young quarterbacks like McCarthy but also reflects a broader understanding within the league of the patience and guidance required for the position. Failure to address this gap could slow Minnesota’s progress and prolong their quest for a championship.
As the Vikings approach the coming offseason, decisions about personnel in the quarterback room will be critical. The team’s ability to balance McCarthy’s potential with the experience brought by a veteran mentor may determine both the quarterback’s trajectory and the overall success of the franchise in the near future.
What yall think ? pic.twitter.com/HNL8cnkCvt
— Anthony Barr (@AnthonyBarr) February 12, 2026
