As the Green Bay Packers aim to rise in the NFC North, an interesting subplot is unfolding across the Mississippi River. Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is preparing for his first season as the team’s starter. After moving on from Kirk Cousins and allowing Sam Darnold to sign with Seattle, the Vikings are placing their hopes in the 22-year-old, who missed his rookie year due to a knee injury.
Now, McCarthy faces even more pressure following the suspension of wide receiver Jordan Addison. The NFL suspended Addison for the first three games of the 2025 season for violating its Substances of Abuse Policy. The suspension is linked to a July 2024 incident in which Addison was found asleep behind the wheel on a Los Angeles freeway. Although he pleaded no contest to a lesser charge, the NFL still issued a suspension.
Addison can still participate in training camp and preseason games, but he will miss regular season matchups against the Bears, Falcons, and Bengals. His absence is a major blow for McCarthy, who had been building strong chemistry with the receiver during camp.
Compounding the situation, McCarthy has had a rocky training camp and has already lost top targets Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson to injuries. Both are expected to return by the season opener on September 8 against the Bears, while left tackle Christian Darrisaw is recovering from a major knee injury suffered last October.
Although the Packers don’t play the Vikings until November 23, these early challenges in Minnesota may give Green Bay an advantage in the divisional race.
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