The Minnesota Vikings have done a great job in developing quarterback J.J. McCarthy over the last 14 months, but we still have a lot of questions about what he will be moving forward.
Those questions resonate because of the knee injury McCarthy suffered in the first preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. A torn meniscus prevented McCarthy from practicing all year, but he did spend a lot of time in the meeting room learning from him.
Daunte Culpepper believes in J.J. McCarthy
One of the best Vikings quarterbacks in the 21st century is Daunte Culpepper, who was the highest selected quarterback at 11th overall until McCarthy was taken at 10th, spoke to WCCO's Mike Max about McCarthy and he believes in him.
"I saw him at practice last week and he looks great," Culpepper said. "He has that it factor, I always say, he has it. And I can see it in his eyes, he's ready to go out and tear it up.
"I think that he's gonna surprise a lot of people. Because his ability, I watched him make every throw, he has a lot of zip on his passes and he is very knowledgeable of the offense, he knows where everybody's at. I think he's gonna be a master, I think he's working his way to be a master, and just remember I said it first, he's gonna tear up the league."
These comments didn't come from nowhere, as Culpepper spent time at Vikings OTAs at the beginning of June. That in person experience matters when having these conversations.
Culpepper had a similar experience to McCarthy in his rookie season. While he didn't get hurt like McCarthy did, Culpepper did sit the entirety of his rookie season and began the next year as the starting quarterback. He also gets what it's like to suffer a major knee injury. Culpepper's was significantly worse in being a torn ACL and multiple other ligaments damaged, but that experience could prove vital.
"It definitely changed the trajectory of my career," Culpepper said. "Didn't know it then, I thought, you always think you're gonna overcome everything. I was able to at least come back and play some, but I was never myself."
If Culpepper believes, there's no reason we shouldn't.
