Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy said he's "ready to start," addressing the team's suspected decision for the 2025 season.
"I know I'm ready to start because of all the work I've put in and just the confidence in my skills and abilities and just being able to do my job," McCarthy said via ESPN on Tuesday (April 29). And to simplify things to the best of my ability every single day. And just to take it one day at a time, one play at a time. And I have a tremendous coaching staff, a tremendous group of guys around me that I can lean on and they can lean on me."
The Vikings reportedly passed on former four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers in March with many speculating that their intention was to start McCarthy, who was selected at No. 10 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in preseason. Minnesota also opted not to franchise tag Sam Darnold, who had a career renaissance during his lone season with the franchise before signing with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason.
Daniel Jones, who spent the latter half of the 2024 season on the Vikings' practice squad, also signed with the Indianapolis Colts. McCarthy was just months removed from leading Michigan Wolverines to an undefeated season and College Football Playoff National Championship Game victory when he was selected by the Vikings last April, concluding his collegiate career with a 27-1 record as a starter.