J.J. McCarthy was incredibly candid about the struggles he faced during this past season with the Minnesota Vikings.
J.J. McCarthy had a difficult first season with the Minnesota Vikings. After three successful years at Michigan, including a national championship win, McCarthy made it to the NFL.
He was selected 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, joining the Minnesota Vikings. He was set to play backup behind quarterback Sam Darnold.
However, a torn meniscus ruled him out for the first season, making him the first rookie in the NFL to miss his entire rookie season.
In his absence, Sam Darnold had a fantastic season. Vikings OC believes Darnold has a bright future, presumably with them going forward.
Read More: Shannon Sharpe gives decisive take on whether Vikings should give Sam Darnold a long-term contract
J.J. McCarthy gets candid over rookie season
J.J. McCarthy spoke on the Rich Eisen Show about his rookie season. He noted that it was difficult to sit on the sidelines injured while the Vikings had a great year.
McCarthy added that going from a successful year with Michigan to being on the sidelines was a bitter pill to swallow. But he credited the ‘beautiful’ season for the Vikings as a learning experience for him.
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“It’s been really hard if I’m going to be straight up. Going from 16-0 and a national champion to your season-ending.”
“Being a part of, but somewhat not a part of – on IR – that beautiful season that we had, just being able to really witness and experience what it was like to be a successful team in the NFL, and also see how we could improve.
“For that, it was an invaluable experience, and ultimately a blessing in disguise. The hardest part was seeing all my brothers go out there, every single Sunday, Monday, and Thursday and not being able to put up the armor with them.”
Perhaps McCarthy can take the lessons from this season and parlay it into a brilliant official first season with the Vikings. But questions still remain about his future.
McCarthy’s future in question
After Sam Darnold’s brilliant season with the Vikings, there were some questions about J.J. McCarthy’s value to the Vikings.
Usually, backup quarterbacks are supposed to be players who aren’t good enough to start for an NFL team but can do a serviceable job when asked.
McCarthy, who is a top-10 draft pick and national champion, doesn’t match that criteria. One former Jets GM believes that McCarthy’s trade value is sky high, should the Vikings make a move.
However, Sam Darnold’s disastrous wildcard game could have secured McCarthy’s spot as the starting quarterback for next season.
We will have to wait and see whether the Vikings roll the dice and stick with Darnold, or let him go in free agency in favor of McCarthy as QB1.
