Praise Keeps Rolling in for Vikings Rookie

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Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will eventually take the reins of the QB1 job, though the timetable for his ascension is unclear. But when he takes the scepter, oodles of notable voices claim he’ll be prepared.

Praise Keeps Rolling in for Vikings Rookie

That latest? Tight end T.J. Hockenson, who sang McCarthy’s praises on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast this week.

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“He’s been incredible. He’s grinding in the film room. He’s grinding in the classroom. He’s a baller on the field, obviously,” Hockenson said Tuesday. “But to have a guy, especially a rookie, come into a facility and to the league, you usually need to shut your mouth and go to work, and that’s exactly what he did. He’s earned the respect of a lot of guys in there.”

Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah scooped McCarthy out of Round 1 of April’s draft with the 10th overall pick after a trade up the board with the New York Jets. It’s a new era in the Twin Cities, as Kirk Cousins left for the Atlanta Falcons in March

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Hockenson added, “Obviously, we have Sam Darnold, who’s a baller and plays the game at a really high level, so it’ll be interesting what happens with those two. I’m excited that J.J.’s on our team. Like I said, he’s a leader. He did that in Michigan, and I’m sure that will carry over to the league just as well.”

And Hockenson’s compliments are not standalone. New Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman opined a couple of weeks ago, too, touting McCarthy’s development and upside on the Jim Rome Show. “Yeah, 21 years old but a great young man. He’s a leader. He is eager to learn. A lot of young guys, sometimes they can come in, be a little timid or shy,” Cashman said. “But he’s walking around the locker room, big smile on his face, shaking hands, getting to know everybody.”

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Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) signs autographs during the national championship celebration at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Vikings minicamp begins on Sunday, a forum to showcase more of McCarthy’s talents.

“I didn’t realize how much heat he could put on the ball. He’s got a great long ball. And even those tight windows, which close fast at the next level — he can zip the ball past a linebacker or safety’s head and squeeze it in those tight windows,” Cashman continued. “And that’s very promising to see. He’s going to be a great player for a long time. I can’t wait to continue to see his growth — not only his development as a quarterback [and] the skills, but also become an even smarter player,”

But wait — there’s more.

Adam Thielen said about McCarthy on KFAN earlier this month, “He’s a great kid. You don’t realize that he’s only 21 years old when you’re talking to him, when you’re hanging around. He’s got a maturity about him that you can tell that goes beyond his age. And, you know, that’s step number one as a QB, to have that maturity level, to have that kind of poise or kind of that aura around you that just feels like confidence and just a good good person.”

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Adam Thielen of the Minnesota Vikings walks the red carpet before the NFL Honors awards special at the Phoenix Convention Center on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Thielen added, “He has all the tools. He can sling it; he’s super accurate. We’re in shorts and t-shirts out there, but you can see a lot just from accuracy, timing, when you’re running around out there.”

McCarthy has +220 odds — about 30% — to start for the Vikings in Week 1, according to sportsbooks.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.