J.J. McCarthy, a second-year quarterback, is expected to start for the Minnesota Vikings in 2025 after the team traded up from No. 11 to No. 10 in the 2024 draft to choose the former Michigan Wolverines quarterback and national champion.
McCarthy missed his debut season after tearing his meniscus during the 2024 preseason opener.
However, the group is placing its trust in McCarthy. During that time, the quarterback spoke openly about his rehab and encouraged Vikings fans.
“Recovery does not follow a linear timeline. There will be peaks and dips,” the Vikings said on X on March 24, captioning a video of McCarthy addressing his rehabilitation. “[McCarthy]’s mindset helped him as he attacked his recovery his rookie season.”
McCarthy discussed his first NFL game. He also mentioned how shocking his season-ending injury was.
“It was a magical experience.” And the way the game turned out, I was very delighted because being able to start off rough with the interception, and coming back and reacting in the fashion that I did -” McCarthy stated in a video published by the Vikings in cooperation with SleepNumber on March 24. “I am going to be resilient no matter what happens. There will be more down the line.
“Being all revved up, ready to go for the season, and it getting taken away from me, being able to channel all that energy – the mental aspect of myself, the spiritual aspect – it’s something that now is being revealed to me I really need it, And I really needed to ground myself and work on the deeper foundational stuff before my life and my career really takes off.”
The Vikings’ post serves as a reminder of what’s to come, but McCarthy remains focused.
McCarthy stated that there are both positive and negative aspects to everything. “See the positive, concentrate on the positive, and embody the positive.
McCarthy has fully recovered from two procedures to treat the injuries and the resulting swelling. However, his weight loss, which was a result of his rehabilitation, drew similar attention.
McCarthy’s weight has come back into the spotlight around two months later.
Kay Adams hinted at an interview with the second-year quarterback. She also posted a snapshot of McCarthy, who appeared significantly bulkier than at the end of the 2024 season.
“#Vikings QB JJ McCarthy with a noticeable size difference since the end of last season [eyes emoji],” one fan wrote on X soon after the team’s video. “It was reported that JJ is currently sitting at around 210 pounds.”
McCarthy’s weight may not have been a major worry because it is normal for recovering sportsmen to lose weight.
However, the fact that he is on track verifies the reports that have appeared.
Adam Schefter: The Vikings are ‘J.J. McCarthy’s Team’
McCarthy was also reportedly gaining weight the previous week, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
He also agreed with colleague Ian Rapoport’s statement that the “Vikings are McCarthy’s team.”
“I am told the Vikings have rejected multiple trade calls involving their young quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, telling teams they are moving forward with McCarthy as their quarterback,” Pete Pelissero wrote for “The Insiders” Tuesday, March 18. “J.J. McCarthy now enters the offseason as QB1.”\
The Vikings have decided against chasing Aaron Rodgers. They also left Joe Flacco and Ryan Tannehill in free agency.
“The Vikings are completely confident in J.J. McCarthy as their quarterback. This is not only about 2025. It’s about 2026, 2027 – making sure he develops into the franchise quarterback they believe he can be,” Pelissero stated. “I’m told that J.J. McCarthy’s knee, which required surgery for a torn meniscus last year and cost him his rookie season, is not an issue.” He has gained weight back. He weighs up to 200 pounds. He works out at the facilities on a regular basis and looks great.”
Brett Rypien is the only other quarterback on the Vikings roster as of March 24. The Vikings are also still exploring veteran options. However, that is only to back up McCarthy.
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