Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy shares personal milestone with fiancée as he prepares to lead team in 2025 NFL season.
Minnesota Vikings fans received heartwarming news off the field as J.J. McCarthy, the team's anticipated starting quarterback next season, revealed he and his fiancée Katya Kuropas are expecting their first child. The baby announcement comes just months before McCarthy takes on his new role under center for the Vikings, making it a truly life-changing year.
The couple, who are high school sweethearts, shared the news in an Instagram post on May 22nd, featuring McCarthy standing supportively behind Kuropas, her baby bump visible in a grassy Minnesota field. The announcement quickly spread across social media. NFL Insider Jordan Schultz posted on X (formerly Twitter), congratulating the Vikings quarterback on the news.
“Congrats to #Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy and his high school sweetheart/fiancée Katya Kuropas on the announcement of their first child together!”
McCarthy’s path to this point hasn’t been typical. Drafted 10th overall in 2024, the Vikings quarterback missed his entire rookie year due to a meniscus injury. Now fully healthy, he's expected to lead the offense in 2025 after impressing during offseason workouts.
But it's not just the gridiron where he's stepping into a big role. The timing of the baby announcement underscores a pivotal transition. As he prepares for fatherhood, McCarthy is also preparing for his first full NFL season as a starter, facing high expectations from both fans and the franchise.
Despite the setback during his rookie year, head coach Kevin O’Connell has expressed strong confidence in the development of the former Michigan national champion. Surrounded by offensive playmakers like Aaron Jones and supported by a quarterback-friendly system, McCarthy is widely viewed as a breakout candidate heading into the 2025 season.
McCarthy’s journey from high school sweetheart to national champion to expected Vikings quarterback now intersects with fatherhood, adding emotional depth to his story. As he gears up to lead the Vikings this fall and welcome his baby, fans are rallying behind both of his upcoming debuts—on the field and at home.
