The anticipation around J.J. McCarthy heading into his first training camp as the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback is palpable. But it is already apparent that he has the support of his teammates, including new ones like cornerback Isaiah Rodgers.
Following Vikings safety Josh Metellus’ telling reaction to McCarthy’s arrival for training camp on Sunday, Rodgers shared a clip of himself holding the QB’s high school jersey.
“Who got this though[?],” Rodgers captioned the video, posted on X on July 21.
McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick of the 2024 draft by the Vikings, who traded up to acquire him, began his high school football career at Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park, Illinois. He transferred to IMG in Bradenton, Florida, as a senior in 2020 due to COVID-19 issues.
From there, McCarthy went on to attend the University of Michigan, leading the Wolverines to a national championship as a true junior before the Vikings drafted him.
J.J. McCarthy Called Vikings’ ‘X-Factor’
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings throws the ball during mandatory minicamp.
McCarthy missed his rookie season with the Vikings due to a torn meniscus, and ESPN’s Seth Walder called the second-year QB the Vikings’ “X-Factor” for the 2025 season.
“He’s walking into about as good a situation as one could imagine: Playing for a QB-friendly and great offensive scheme designer in Kevin O’Connell, throwing to possibly the best wide receiver in the game in Justin Jefferson (along with a good No. 2 in Jordan Addison and tight end in T.J. Hockenson) and playing behind a line with strong potential,” Walder wrote on July 21. “That all helps substantially, but there are no guarantees. If McCarthy isn’t at least decent, it won’t work.”
McCarthy underwent two procedures on his knee, first to repair the tear and then another to address swelling that occurred following the initial one. He also lost a noticeable amount of weight during his rehabilitation process.
However, McCarthy declared himself over the knee injury in March.
McCarthy has also gained back the weight he lost in recovery while participating fully in the Vikings’ offseason program.
Vikings Must Support Young QB
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings participates in a drill during training camp.
Rodgers brings championship experience to the Vikings, too, winning with the Philadelphia Eagles last year, and he is part of that strong supporting cast backing McCarthy. However, ESPN’s Mike Clay considered the cornerback spot the Vikings’ “biggest weakness.”
So much so that Clay passed on the “easy pick,” McCarthy, and pointed to Rodgers’ position group.
Clay is “concerned” about the Vikings’ CB room.
“Byron Murphy Jr. was a good re-signing, but Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin both departed this offseason,” Clay wrote in the same article as Walder. “That duo is set to be replaced by some combination of Mekhi Blackmon (missed all of last season with a torn ACL) and journeymen Isaiah Rodgers, Jeff Okudah, Tavierre Thomas and Ambry Thomas.”
O’Connell expressed confidence in Rodgers, citing the support the veteran has from defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
O’Connell has also been staunchly behind McCarthy, eschewing more proven options.
The Vikings’ defense, plethora of offensive skill players, and coaching staff must all do their part to simplify the process for McCarthy, who is the first quarterback drafted in the first round in the modern era (since 1970) to miss his entire rookie season due to injury.
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