J.J. McCarthy given clear-cut mission ahead of training camp

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is getting ready to see action for the first time in the NFL. He was supposed to experience that in 2024, but a season-ending knee injury in the offseason kept him off the field for the entire campaign.

The Vikings had success in 2024 with Sam Darnold rebuilding his image under center, leading the high-powered Minnesota attack to averages of 24.5 points and 342.6 total yards per game in 2024, ninth and 12th in the league overall, respectively.

With Darnold now with the Seattle Seahawks and McCarthy finally healthy, the former Michigan Wolverines star signal-caller is expected to take over the QB1 role for Minnesota, which won 14 games in 2024.

Vikings have set an order for McCarthy

Amid the excitement for McCarthy’s looming NFL debut is a simple but clear directive for him from the Vikings.

The Vikings tossed him the keys to the Ferrari. The directive is simple: Take what’s there; no need to be a hero," Alec Lewis of The Athletic wrote. Expecting McCarthy to be perfect would be foolish. Thinking he’ll thrive on intermediate routes and anticipatory throws is fair. Most everyone who has spent meaningful time around him raves about him. How he looks will be one of the biggest stories of the NFL season.

McCarthy will have a plethora of weapons around him, which should make his job a lot easier. Aaron Jones remains the top running back while the likes of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson are some of the talented targets downfield for McCarthy, who was selected 10th overall by the Vikings in the 2024 NFL draft.

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