J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up during training camp.
J.J. McCarthy is the Minnesota Vikings’ QB1, and the decision to let former MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers linger in free agency only to see him sign a one-year, $13.6 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers further cements that.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the decision indeed has significant implications for the Vikings.
Specifically, it officially starts the clock on the Vikings’ championship window with McCarthy.
“The Minnesota Vikings, greatly affected here because they started to roll with J.J. McCarthy this offseason. Rodgers definitely had an interest in playing for the Vikings, looking at playing for one of those elite-type play-callers like Kevin O’Connell,” Fowler reported on the 9 am ET edition of “SportsCenter” on June 8. “The Vikings’ plan is clear.
“They saw this as a three-year window, right now, to win a championship, with a really good quarterback [McCarthy] they like on a rookie deal. They can build around him with some pieces. So they’re going to go for it without Rodgers, officially, now.”
“I think he’s still got football in him. He’s got a lot to prove.”
@StaceyDales joined @TomPelissero on The Insiders to weigh in on Aaron Rodgers signing with the Steelers.
The Vikings were linked to him throughout the offseason, especially after letting Sam Darnold (Seattle Seahawks) leave in free agency and allowing Daniel Jones (Indianapolis Colts) to do the same, pulling their offer to the latter.
Those decisions, and having Brett Rypien, Max Brosmer, and Sam Howell as the only other QBs on the roster, underscore the Vikings’ faith in McCarthy.
