Though he has spent countless hours watching film and studying the playbook so he can think the position at a high level, after missing all of last season while he recovered from a torn meniscus, McCarthy has also worked tirelessly on his mechanics so he can actually play the position at a high level.

The Minnesota Vikings' season depends on J.J. McCarthy. That's not a particularly bold statement. It's the NFL, where quarterbacks are king to begin with. And this is a Minnesota team that nearly won the NFC North last season with a different QB, Sam Darnold, who is now in Seattle.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy isn't technically a rookie because he was drafted in 2024, but he's effectively one after missing his rookie season with a knee injury. McCarthy had surgery on his knee last August and he was competing with Sam Darnold prior to his injury,