Vikings, Bears Bet on Young QBs for NFC Rise

The Minnesota Vikings are centering their three-year Super Bowl plan around J.J. McCarthy, their 2024 first-round pick who missed his rookie season due to injury, choosing not to pursue veteran quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers. McCarthy has shown promising development in the offseason, and team insiders express optimism for his performance in the upcoming training camp. The Chicago Bears, meanwhile, are building around quarterback Caleb Williams, who set rookie records but led the team to a 5-12 finish in his first year. The Bears have hired new head coach Ben Johnson and revamped their offensive line to better support Williams and instill a new culture of accountability. Both franchises are relying on their young quarterbacks and recent organizational changes to break extended playoff droughts and improve competitiveness in the NFC. The contrasting strategies highlight a focus on youth development and roster flexibility for both teams.