When the Minnesota Vikings visit the Chicago Bears on “Monday Night Football,” quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Caleb Williams will clash for the first time in what both franchises should hope is the first of many meetings in a “rivalry.”
Ahead of practice on Wednesday, Williams received questions about McCarthy.
Among them, if this game is the starting point. For Williams, who once wanted to be drafted by the Vikings and play for head coach Kevin O’Connell, that remains to be seen.
Caleb Williams in Wait & See Mode on J.J. McCarthy ‘Rivalry’ Ahead of Bears-Vikings
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on before a game against the New England Patriots.
McCarthy and Williams entered the league with the most noteworthy accomplishments that collegiate players can achieve. The now-Vikings QB led the Michigan Wolverines to a national championship in his final season in 2023. It was their first title since 1997.
Williams was the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner at USC after transferring from Oklahoma.
“I don’t necessarily really know McCarthy,” Williams told reporters on September 3. “We’ve been around each other in camps, but that’s not us hanging around each other or anything like that. I know he’s a competitor. I know he’s won some games in college level, and won a national championship at college level. And like I said, I think he’s a competitor. And the rivalry part of it, we’ll have to see.”
Williams was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 draft. McCarthy, the 10th overall selection after the Vikings traded with the New York Jets to move up one spot and select him.
McCarthy missed his rookie season with a torn meniscus suffered in the Vikings’ preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. Williams endured a tumultuous campaign of his own, featuring changes at head coach and offensive coordinator.
This offseason has been about change for both young passers.
McCarthy is stepping into the starting role Sam Darnold rode to a Pro Bowl berth in 2024, while Williams is working with a new coaching staff and what Chicago hopes is an improved roster.
Caleb Williams Praises Vikings DC Brian Flores
GettyMinnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores takes the field before a game against the Green Bay Packers.
Before he was asked about McCarthy, Williams was asked about adjusting to Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ scheme.
“The first part of it is … being able to understand that there’s going to be a wrinkle with Flores and understanding that when that happens, it’s a wrinkle every single week for every single team, and trying to put his team and his defense in an advantageous position,” Williams said on Wednesday. “Being able to adjust to those and be level-minded throughout the whole game is really important.
“From there, once you adjust, it’s being able to go out there and execute, and even when things aren’t in our favor in maybe the first quarter, second quarter, whatever the case may be. And in that sense of we haven’t adjusted fully yet, is being able to still execute our base plays and get positive yards, positive gain, keep us on the field, and not have negative plays.”
Williams completed 64.1% of his passes for 531 yards and 3 touchdowns with 0 interceptions against two meetings against the Vikings in 2024. However, the Vikings sacked Williams five times and won both games.
What that would mean for a “rivalry” between Williams and McCarthy is unclear, but it would be good for both the Bears and Vikings if their young QBs showed up and showed out on Monday.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Caleb Williams Gets Honest About J.J. McCarthy, ‘Rivalry’ Ahead of Bears-Vikings appeared first on Heavy Sports.