Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson sent a clear message about how he feels about QB J.J. McCarthy

T.J. Hockenson is a big fan of J.J. McCarthy

One thing that will end up helping McCarthy take that positive step forward is how he handles the role off the football field. The intangibles with his relationships and the work he puts in behind the scenes will go a long way to his success.

Tight end T.J. Hockenson is one that has come away very impressed with McCarthy. He made an appearance on the Green Light podcast with Chris Long and had glowing things to say.

"J.J. is my dog, you know? I mean, that's my guy, great dude, great person. I can't say enough good things about him. He wants to be great in this league, and you can tell that by his preparation, what he does during the week, what he does every day, how he handles himself in the in the building. And so you gotta love that from a guy like him, and who's coming, who's coming into the building, who got hurt his his first year, he's he's intentional about everything."

Building those relationships are huge to take things to the next level and it's something that extends outside of TCO Performance Center.

"We all try to hang out outside of the building. So we just went on a golf trip. So I spent four days non stop with, JJ. We were standing the same in the same place, and so just stuff like that is huge for team building, for huge for being able to communicate on the field. Huge for, you know, just just being boys and in general, you know, I mean, so that's my dog. I think he's going to be incredible. And, you know, I can't wait for that to translate to Sunday, what you guys saw in camp last year and what you see every day, just being able to talk to him. He's always asking the right questions. He's always trying to learn. And so, I can't say enough good things about that guy. I think you're just going to have to see it when it comes around."

That second to last line of "he's always trying to learn" is such a huge factor here. McCarthy spent the last eight months only being able to do the behind the scenes work to build up his ability to succeed. Hockenson didn't stop raving about his intelligence.

"I think it's, it really is his mind. He has a calming effect, but also an intentional effect when he's trying to communicate with you about what he wants on routes, what we want on routes," said Hockenson. "He's learning about us as an offense, us as wide receivers. He wants to know the game of football, and that's huge as a young guy. You got to be able to learn the game, because it's a little different from stepping from college to the NFL. These guys are a little smarter up here, and they use their leverages. They will take chances when they need to, you know, and to be able to learn that and learn the circumstances behind that, and what they're doing is huge, and so he's always asking questions." 

The element of intelligence that Hockenson mentioned is such a key piece to this entire puzzle. That level of intelligence is going to take him to another level right away in head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense. From going through progressions and reading defenses, that will come in handy.

If everything Hockenson says comes to fruition, get excited for McCarthy to take things to the next level this season.