J.J. McCarthy Is Ready for His Moment
The Minnesota Vikings kicked off their voluntary offseason workout program last week, with the NFL Draft claiming most of the headlines. Familiar faces appeared at the TCO Performance Center, meaning football season is approaching.
J.J. McCarthy Is Ready for His Moment
Throughout the offseason, the biggest storyline circulating the Vikings was the quarterback position. Sam Darnold was coming off the best season of his career, Aaron Rodgers’ name got thrown into the hat regularly, and the fanbase debated who should be the backup quarterback.
Despite all the noise, Minnesota’s front office stuck to their guns, foreshadowing what we now know: the J.J. McCarthy era is here, and he’s ready.
McCarthy spoke with the press in Eagan on Tuesday, the first time he’s been at the podium since injuring his knee last August.
“I know I’m ready to start,” McCarthy said. “Because all the work I put in and just the confidence in my skills and abilities. And just being able to do my job and simplify things to the best of my ability every single day. Taking one day at a time, one play at a time. I have a tremendous coaching staff and tremendous group of guys around me that I can lean on, and they can lean on me.”
The 22-year-old quarterback has received raving reviews about his leadership from his fellow Vikings teammates. Despite missing his rookie campaign, McCarthy has gained the respect of his peers and made it clear that they can count on him, too.
Reporters in the facility on Tuesday got to witness McCarthy throwing the ball around, and it’s a sight for sore eyes. He was asked how he’s feeling, and his answer should make Vikings fans excited.
“I feel 110 percent because I feel better than when I got hurt eight months ago,” McCarthy said.
Despite not playing a snap in 2024, McCarthy seems ready to hit the ground running in his sophomore season. As he said in his press conference Tuesday, he’s surrounded by ‘a tremendous coaching staff and a tremendous group of guys,’ and it’s obvious that a great supporting cast matters for a young quarterback.
Combine those factors with his winning attitude, elite athleticism, good arm strength, and the ability to deliver the ball while maneuvering the pocket, and it feels as if the Vikings are set up for long-term success at the quarterback position.
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