All signs point to J.J. McCarthy being the starting quarterback for the Vikings moving forward.
The situation got much more clear last week when multiple reports revealed that the Vikings were no longer pursuing Aaron Rodgers.
That said, McCarthy offered up an interesting nugget to television personality Kay Adams on Tuesday morning before his group teed off at NFLPA Classic in Mayakoba, Mexico. Asked during his appearance on the Up & Adams Show when he found out he was going to the starter, McCarthy replied, “They haven’t told me.”
“I’m happy they didn’t because I try to earn it every single day,” McCarthy added. “I never want that to be given to me. It’s such a privilege and opportunity for them to give me that chance. I’m just going to make the most of it.”
It’s not necessarily surprising that the Vikings haven’t committed to McCarthy as their starter next season considering he doesn’t have much experience under his belt.
Though he was selected with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and seemed to be trending in the right direction during training camp, McCarthy still hasn’t taken an official snap after suffering a torn meniscus during an exhibition game as a rookie.
As frustrating as the injury was for McCarthy at the time, he said he has found a silver lining in the fact that it grounded him and reminded him what was important in life.
“It was the ultimate blessing because it’s such a time of stillness,” McCarthy said. “It’s huge for young guys to find that routine that they can rely on and stay consistent with. So, I would say that was the biggest thing for me.”
It helped that McCarthy got to learn the ropes of the position from afar last season while Sam Darnold rewrote the narrative on his career while leading the Vikings to the playoffs. That should pay dividends whenever it’s time for McCarthy to take over under center.
Where is he at with the recovery process?
“I would say I’m 100 percent,” McCarthy said. “Just staying consistent with the rehab process and not wavering from that.
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