Windy City Gridiron
The Chicago Bears kick off their season tonight on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. After an exciting week one of football on Sunday, one can only hope that tonight’s game is just as great. If it’s not a fantastic game, I’ll take a snoozefest where the Bears win by three touchdowns, but I digress.
To help get you set for tonight’s primetime tilt, we sat down with SB Nation’s Minnesota Vikings site, the Daily Norseman. We exchanged questions with Christopher Gates, and here’s what he had to say about the Vikings heading into week one of the 2025 season.
1. Let’s start with JJ McCarthy. I know he’s entering his second year, but I see this as a rookie season for him. How have reports been in training camp, and what do you expect in week one?
The reports were mixed coming out of camp. There were times when we heard that he was having struggles with accuracy and things of that nature, but then there were reports like the ones we got during the team’s joint practices with New England ahead of the second preseason game that said he was lighting it up. He only played one series in the preseason, so we don’t have a whole lot of visual evidence of our own to go on at this point. I would expect him to have some inconsistencies, particularly early on, but I think if the Vikings’ improved offensive line can keep him upright that he’ll get comfortable and start making some plays.
2. We know Kevin O’Connell is a QB whisperer, and with guys like Justin Jefferson to throw to, McCarthy is in a good spot to succeed. With KOC calling the shots, what do you think the floor and ceiling are for McCarthy’s career?
I think the floor for McCarthy is that of a low-end starter in the NFL. Not a guy that you’re actively looking to replace on an annual basis, but someone who might not necessarily be the long-term answer. He just seems to have the right attitude and work ethic to not be a complete flop in the NFL, so I don’t think we have to worry about him being a total bust or anything like that. With Kevin O’Connell guiding him, however, I honestly think he can be a top-five starting quarterback in this league. Yes, he wasn’t asked to do much in college, but the fact that he wasn’t asked to do much doesn’t automatically mean that he’s not capable of doing more. With a solid offensive coach like O’Connell guiding him, the sky is really the limit, in my opinion.
3. What should Bears fans expect out of the wide receiver room on Monday Night Football? We know Jordan Addison is out with a suspension, but the Vikings have been really careful with Justin Jefferson as well, and now here’s an old friend alert with Adam Thielen as well.
The Vikings brought Thielen in because he’s already familiar...
