This article is presented by Antonio’s Italian Cucina

Maybe I just have PTSD, but I was really not looking forward to the possibility of Aaron Rodgers playing in Minnesota.

I know many people think he’s washed, garbage, etc., but I see his failure in New York as more of an indictment on the grease-fire Jets than him. I fully expect him to go to Pittsburgh and be thoroughly “okay”. But by passing over Rodgers, the Vikings are doubling down on JJ McCarthy being the guy next year.

This is a huge risk.

Minnesota is a competitive team. They’re definitely in a window, and while Sam D’Arnold went full Sam D’Arnold in the two most important games of his career, you still have to acknowledge the fact that he played really well for most of the year. JJ, for all intents and purposes, is a rookie. He’s thrown about 20 passes in the NFL (albeit in preseason, against non-starters), and he’s coming off a torn meniscus that kept him out all season. From what I’ve read, his rehab is going well, and he’s expected to be ready to go for the start of the season. But, it’s important to keep in mind that he’s 22, and taking the reins of a team that has huge expectations. Anything less than the playoffs is a disappointment, and I wonder if guys like Justin Jefferson will start to become a problem if the team’s offense stutters at points. Plus, let’s be honest: he wasn’t asked to throw the ball a ton at Michigan the year they won the National Championship. This isn’t really his fault, but Minnesota is definitely a pass-happy team, leading me to wonder how JJ responds to the demands put on him in that offense.

Regardless, Minnesota has to be thinking long-term with their quarterback situation. They may be comfortable with one step back this year in terms of overall record, in order to take a leap forward in year 2, 3, and 4 of JJ McCarthy’s career. As a Lions fan, I hope he fails miserably.