The Minnesota Vikings expect J.J. McCarthy to lead them to the playoffs in 2025, despite him being in his first year as a starter. But uncertainty still remains, as he still hasn't taken a snap in a meaningful NFL game.

The Athletic ranked the top 34 expected starting quarterbacks in the NFL for 2025 (the Browns with Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, the Colts with Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones). With his lack of experience, McCarthy was placed near the bottom of the league.

McCarthy was placed in Tier 4 (29th overall). Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Michael Penix, Jr. were ahead of him in the Tier.

Despite his inexperience, McCarthy was ahead of Jones, Flacco, Richardson, Spencer Rattler, and Pickett.

There is plenty of room to grow for McCarthy in these sorts of rankings. Jayden Daniels, for example, was the 6th-ranked QB, placing as the highest signal-caller in Tier 2.

Analysts still need to see it from McCarthy, even if he has a strong supporting cast in his corner.