Former Green Bay Packers QB Called Out for Disrespecting Vikings’ QB JJ McCarthy
The rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings has long been one of the most heated in the NFL, with decades of intense matchups between the two NFC North foes. Last season, the Vikings got the better of the Packers, sweeping both regular-season games. Overall, though, since 1993, the two teams have had a fairly even record, with Green Bay holding a slim 34-30-2 advantage.
The history of these two teams is even more compelling when it comes to the quarterback position. In 2008, Packers legend Brett Favre was unexpectedly replaced by Aaron Rodgers, leading to a dramatic exit and a season with the New York Jets. However, his ultimate move to the Vikings sparked a major storyline, as Favre took revenge on Green Bay by playing for their biggest rivals.
Fast forward to the current offseason, and another Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, reached out to the Vikings about potentially playing for them in 2025 after being released by the Jets. However, Minnesota quickly shot down the idea, announcing their intention to stick with JJ McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, as their starting quarterback moving forward.
This decision has not been without controversy, and former Packers QB Kurt Benkert recently found himself at the center of the drama after making some disrespectful comments about McCarthy. The Vikings’ projected starter, who was the fifth quarterback taken in this year’s draft, behind big names like Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders), Drake Maye (New England Patriots), and Michael Penix (Atlanta Falcons), received harsh criticism from Benkert. His remarks, which many fans found to be disrespectful and unwarranted, have sparked a backlash from the Minnesota faithful, with many defending McCarthy’s potential and ability to lead the team.
Benkert’s comments have ignited a firestorm on social media, with Vikings supporters calling him out for undermining a player they believe has a bright future in the NFL. As the season approaches, the tension between these two bitter rivals only seems to be intensifying, and it will be interesting to see how McCarthy responds on the field.