J.J. McCarthy Causes Stir as Vikings Training Camp Approaches

Second-year QB J.J. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings with a torn meniscus. During his recovery, he experienced drastic weight loss. Since then, however, McCarthy has gained the lost weight back and, apparently, then some.

The picture in question was of McCarthy at his baby shower in Chicago, which was posted on Instagram on July 8 by his fiancée, Katya Kuropas.

“JJ has been eating good this offseason,” the “Dov Kleiman” handle posted on X on July 10.

“My moms threw me the baby shower of my dreams,” Kuropas posted on Instagram on July 8. “So many friends & family members came and showered me with all the love, i feel so blessed!! this baby is already so spoiled.”

“Blessed,” McCarthy posted in the replies on July 9.

Vikings rookies will report for training camp on July 20, with the team’s veteran players arriving on July 22.

J.J. McCarthy Rage Bait Stirs Vikings Fans

The Vikings list McCarthy at 219 pounds. Whatever he officially weighs with training camp just around the corner, his having a slight frame is no longer a concern. The various accounts noting McCarthy’s weight got the attention of Vikings fans.

“Ragebaiters in december 2024: why is jj mccarthy so skinny?” Vikings Territory’s Dustin Baker posted on X on July 10. “Ragebaiters in july 2025: why is jj mccarthy so chunky?”

McCarthy’s weight was not a concern for the national media following the offseason program.

“‘JJ McCarthy is too small,’” a fan posted on X on July 10. “‘JJ McCarthy is too big.’

“I don’t know what some of y’all are complaining about. But he seems JUUUUUUST right to me.”

McCarthy completed 64.7% of his passes for 188 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception in the Vikings’ 2024 preseason opener. He noticed pain in his knee following the game and ultimately underwent two procedures, first to repair the meniscus and later to address swelling.

His weight loss was viewed as a potential obstacle, though not an uncommon one.

“First it’s ‘J.J. McCarthy lost to much weight from his injury and won’t be able to get to his playing weight in time’ to… ‘he looks fat and is not staying in game shape,’” The Purple Persuasion posted on X on July 10, quoting another outlet tracking the QB’s gains. “The internet in a nut shell.”

J.J. McCarthy Gets Vote of Confidence From Fellow QB

McCarthy faces little challenge internally for the role of starting QB for the Vikings. That makes it even more imperative for McCarthy to hit the ground running this coming season.

There are questions about his readiness coming out of the offseason program. However, McCarthy is simply tasked with keeping the Vikings on track with a strong supporting cast on offense, a highly-regarded coaching staff, and a stout defense.

Even still, he made a positive impression on his teammates during the offseason program.

“The smallest things of jogging from, or running from period to period, going to [individual drills], to quarterback-center exchange, or vice versa, it’s just – you kind of can see the way people run in general, and like, ‘That guy’s pretty athletic.’ And then when you see him move around the pocket, and do scramble drills in seven-on-seven to make it a real rep, kid can spin it, dude. And he can spin on the run. When he’s running around, he looks crazy athletic,” Max Brosmer said on “Locked on Minnesota” on July 8.

“I think that just helps a ton when you’re playing the NFL. College, it’s a big deal, too. But against the NFL, it’s a little bit different pace and speed of the game. And to have someone who can move around like that is really important, especially being a dual threat, when you’re out of pocket, to be able to throw the ball on the ground like the way he does.”

Brosmer, an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota, is one of four quarterbacks on the Vikings’ roster, and the least experienced.

The Vikings also have 2024 free agent pickup Brett Rypien and trade pickup Sam Howell.