With the 2025 NFL regular season fast approaching, the Green Bay Packers will soon get a closer look at the newest quarterback in the NFC North. After missing his entire rookie season with a knee injury, JJ McCarthy is set to debut as the Minnesota Vikings' QB1.
After getting swept by Minnesota last year, it will certainly be welcome for the Packers' defense to face the de facto rookie twice this season. Especially as there was an outside chance Aaron Rodgers could've joined the Vikings.
Of course, the Vikings have plenty of weapons on offense for their young quarterback to lean on, including former Packer Aaron Jones. The ninth-year back recently gave a glowing review of his new quarterback, one that could be unsettling for Packers fans to hear.
Aaron Jones compares Vikings QB JJ McCarthy to Aaron Rodgers
Jones appeared on the Up and Adams show recently and told the unofficial Packers GM that McCarthy has Aaron Rodgers-level football IQ.
"The way he goes about himself, their preparation, the way they treat people, but it all stems from up here (pointing to his head) and that drive. You can see it when you step on the field," Jones said.
Jones mentioned that McCarthy reminds him of his early days in Green Bay with Rodgers, learning defensive tendencies in preparation for pass protection. Rodgers could point out which defenders he should be looking out for, a trait that McCarthy seems to echo.
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Certainly, Minnesota has high hopes for its first-round pick. Despite some questions during the draft process, the Vikings have sung McCarthy's praises since he landed in Minneapolis. He looked solid in limited preseason action, but of course, until the regular season gets started, it's all just talk.
Of course, if McCarthy really does possess an aptitude for the game similar to that of Rodgers, the next decade could be a frustrating one for the Packers. After all, Rodgers was dominant against the NFC North during his time in Green Bay, including a 17-12-1 record against Minnesota.
But the Packers will get their first look at McCarthy soon enough to determine the validity of Jones' claims. Green Bay hosts the Vikings in Week 12 before closing the regular season at Minnesota in Week 18.