Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy: 'I know I'm ready to start' ahead of second season
The Minnesota Vikings let Sam Darnold walk in free agency and resisted overtures from Aaron Rodgers in NFL free agency to pave the way for J.J. McCarthy to become the team's starting quarterback.
McCarthy is confident he can take on the job in stride, as he told reporters Tuesday in his first media availability since the fall.
"I know I'm ready to start," McCarthy said. "Because [of] all the work I've 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. And just to take it one day at a time, one play at a time. I have a tremendous coaching staff, a tremendous group of guys around me that I can lean on and they can lean on me."
The Vikings selected McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and planned to have him compete with Darnold for the team's starting job. He performed well in one preseason game, completing 64.7% of his passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, before it was revealed he suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee.
McCarthy missed his entire rookie season because of the injury. He had two surgeries to fix the meniscus tear and relieve swelling after the initial procedure. He also had a PRP injection to help it heal.
McCarthy admitted the experience was "unique" for him, as he hadn't been shelved long-term by an injury during his career. He used his time on the sidelines to "get a head start on the mental side of the game" and believes that will help him perform better as he debuts in the NFL.
He also acknowledged he is feeling much better physically five months after his second surgery.
"Overall, I feel 110%, because I feel better than when I got hurt eight months ago," the 22-year-old said. "Just really excited to be out here with the guys again and be in the building."
McCarthy will now be the clear-cut No. 1 quarterback on the Vikings' depth chart. Minnesota traded for quarterback Sam Howell during the 2025 NFL Draft and also has veteran Brett Rypien and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer on the roster.
The situation is a far cry from the one with which McCarthy would have dealt had Rodgers joined the Vikings. While Minnesota was not interested in the veteran quarterback, Rodgers reportedly offered the team "a one-year run at a Lombardi" during the offseason.
Amid those rumors, McCarthy focused on what he could control and tried to tune out the noise.
"Obviously [I] respect Aaron Rodgers, one of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game," McCarthy said, "but all I was focused on was that day-to-day task – what I was doing here, what I was doing at home to make myself the best overall player I could be."