If the Vikings get this wrong, the season might be unsalvageable

Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy | Luke Hales/GettyImagesThe Minnesota Vikings have reached a breaking point in their season, with 22-year-old quarterback J.J. McCarthy nearing his long-awaited return to action, and the team struggling with two losses in three games.

That their last game, a dismal 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, was one of the franchise’s biggest no-shows of the Kevin O’Connell era has Vikings fans fearing the worst entering the second half of 2025.

The Vikings have been playing it safe with McCarthy and his recovery from a Week 2 high-ankle sprain, but it’s now or never. They’ll have to figure out how to win with their young quarterback on the field in short order…