J.J. McCarthy Is Gaining Fuel, Right?

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

When the Minnesota Vikings took J.J. McCarthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, they did so with the hope that he would develop into their franchise quarterback. That took a pause when he suffered a season-ending knee injury during his first preseason game.

J.J. McCarthy Is Gaining Fuel, Right?

He had to deal with sitting on the sidelines and watching veteran Sam Darnold lead the Vikings to a 14-3 record. McCarthy isn’t blind, though. He knows how great his athleticism is and how his talent stacks up. He knows he’ll get to work with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and communicate with Kevin O’Connell from the sideline.

Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center during 2024 Training Camp. July 26, 2024. The Vikings drafted McCarthy in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 10th overall pick. He takes over for Kirk Cousins.

At this point, nearing full health, he has to feel like he is capable of experiencing the same heights that Darnold was able to generate. McCarthy proved capable in high school and again in college. He’ll be given the opportunity to do that at the next level, but he has spent all of the offseason hearing about Darnold.

The Vikings signed the veteran as a bridge quarterback to start until McCarthy took the job from him. That could have happened last season at multiple points, but it wasn’t an option. Now, with ample cap space and other needs to fill, the notion that Minnesota would even consider signing Darnold long-term has to irk McCarthy a bit.

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

It’s not as though the former Michigan product believes he’ll walk into the building and be given the reins on day one. It’s more about the fact that any long-term extension would be some level of a lie regarding the praise he has been shown thus far.

There’s just no reason to waste McCarthy’s rookie deal further. There’s no reason to put an unnecessary roadblock in front of McCarthy. The Vikings proved it was their doing that Darnold is in line for a lucrative payday, and them footing that bill would be a silly change, of course.

Ultimately, McCarthy should expect some level of competition. He is currently the only quarterback on the roster, and it’s certainly not going to stay that way. He should also feel energized and excited about the reality that he’ll step on the field and get a chance to prove it.

Minnesota Vikings 2024 NFL Draft. Watch as QB J.J. McCarthy addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center on Friday. The Vikings traded up one spot on the draftboard with the New York Jets for McCarthy.

For weeks and months, it has been all talk. Talk about Darnold returning and McCarthy’s health. Soon, it will be about action, and McCarthy should have plenty of motivation.

Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.