The Minnesota Vikings have long been intrigued by J.J. McCarthy, but with the young quarterback recovering from a torn meniscus and 2024 Pro Bowler Sam Darnold no longer on the roster, exploring all options makes sense—including a potential future Hall of Famer as an insurance policy.
Aaron Rodgers reportedly had the Vikings as his top choice in free agency and remains interested. He’s familiar with the NFC North and could be drawn to an offense featuring Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and former teammate Aaron Jones.
Rodgers even reached out to the team, sparking speculation about him serving as a bridge quarterback to McCarthy. However, Minnesota is not pursuing that option at this time. The franchise is fully committed to McCarthy and may not want to bring in a veteran who could challenge his role as the immediate starter.
Before making a final decision, head coach Kevin O’Connell made sure to communicate with McCarthy about the situation. “I do see him every day throughout the week, and I thought it was important that he was hearing it from me,” O’Connell told The Athletic’s Alec Lewis. As the reigning NFL Coach of the Year, O’Connell is focused on fostering a strong relationship with the quarterback the team sees as its long-term future.
J.J. McCarthy has the Vikings behind him
The Vikings moved up from the No. 11 pick to No. 10 in the 2024 NFL Draft to ensure that neither the Denver Broncos nor any other team could leapfrog them to select J.J. McCarthy. Their decision reflects a strong belief in his skill set and the foundation he built under Jim Harbaugh, which they expect will help him transition smoothly into Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
A crucial element of McCarthy’s development will be building his confidence, and Minnesota’s transparency with him should provide a key mental boost as he prepares for his first NFL season. By turning down Aaron Rodgers’ interest—at least for now—the Vikings are making a clear statement to the rest of the NFC: they trust the 21-year-old to lead them forward.
How high McCarthy’s career will rise remains to be seen, but it appears he has the full backing of the organization as he begins his NFL journey.