Local Insider Can See Vikings Drafting Another Top QB in 2025

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NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Back in late April, took J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. When his name was announced, he became the highest-drafted QB in Minnesota Vikings history, cementing the 21-year-old National Champion as their quarterback of the future.

Unfortunately, at some point during a phenomenal preseason debut, McCarthy suffered a torn meniscus. Surgery that next week ended his 2024-25 season, and undoubtedly raised questions about his future.

Still, McCarthy showed his new head coach Kevin O’Connell enough, in the few months they were together, that after announcing McCarthy’s season-ending surgery, the alleged “QB guru” went as far as to say, “we’ve got our franchise quarterback.”

Would Minnesota Vikings draft another top QB in 2025?

Zygi Wilf, Kevin O'connell, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

There’s no doubt the Minnesota Vikings plan on being competitive in 2024. The Wilfs always push for a playoff-worthy roster. And whether you agree or not, the fact that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has assembled one of the oldest teams in football, tells us they’re trying to win now.

But we haven’t played a single regular season game yet. And there are a lot of experts and sportsbooks who do not believe in the 2024 Vikings. So, let’s fast-forward six months. What happens if those doubters are right, and Minnesota finishes at the bottom of the standings this season?

Let’s just say, for hypothetical purposes, that the Vikings were to land a top-5 draft pick next April. None of us want that to happen… but what if it does? Kwesi and KOC wouldn’t possibly draft another QB of the future… would they?

Well, not so fast, says one local insider. Longtime Pioneer Press columnist Charley Walters, who has a lot of friends inside the Minnesota Vikings organization, “wouldn’t be shocked” if the they were to draft another top quarterback in 2025, should the opportunity present itself.

McCarthy is out for the season after surgery last month to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Should the Vikings suffer a disheartening season, which appears likely, and end up with a top-five pick in next spring’s draft, it wouldn’t be a shock if they were to choose another quarterback of the future.

Charley Walters (Pioneer Press)

Related: T.J. Hockenson’s Return Timeline Clearing Up

Not only does Walters predict a top quarterback, but he also thinks the Vikings will be so bad that they’ll end up with a top-5 pick. This is quite bold of the local insider, given everything the Vikings have invested with McCarthy. A definite head scratcher for Mr. Walters.

Why the Minnesota Vikings are very unlikely to even consider doing this?

Walters has been known for his “hot takes” over the years, but he has had some success with things he’s predicted. In my opinion, however, his speculation is unlikely to come true, here. Why? I will give you three reasons:

  1. KOC and Kwesi have already pinned their reputations on J.J. McCarthy’s success
  2. The Vikings have limited draft assets in 2025
  3. Vikings won’t lose enough games in 2024

These three points are just scratching the surface as to many reasons why the Minnesota Vikings wouldn’t waste a first-round pick on another quarterback. Is there a world where McCarthy may not pan out as a starter in this league? Absolutely.

Related: Mike Zimmer Unloads All His Minnesota Vikings Baggage

However, punting on McCarthy, given everything the Vikings have invested at this point, makes this nearly a zero percenter. McCarthy is the future for better or for worse. Even the head coach knows it.

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