LIVE REPORT: JJ McCarthy Speaks Out on Vikings QB Battle—”All I Can Ask for Is a Fair Opportunity”
After missing his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus, JJ McCarthy is eager to get back on the field. The Minnesota Vikings’2024 No. 10 overall pick watched from the sidelines as Sam Darnold put together a Pro Bowl season, leading to major questions about whether McCarthy will take over as QB1 in 2025.
But one thing is certain—head coach Kevin O’Connell won’t just hand him the job.
“Coach O’Connell, he’s one of the most genuine guys I know, and our conversations have just been nothing [but] about the greatest thing for the Minnesota Vikings,” McCarthy told Rich Eisen on “The Rich Eisen Show” on February 4. “At the end of the day, there’s a lot of things that are certainly above my pay grade, and some things above his pay grade. And he’s the one that has the pen last on the field, and that’s about all I know.”
McCarthy made it clear—he’s not asking for handouts.
“All I can ask for is a fair opportunity. That’s the one thing that I feel like everybody’s given, and it’s fundamental. And when money gets involved, things get complicated and reps get skewed, and there’s different things that come into the whole political world that everyone talks about.”
But at the end of the day, McCarthy knows he can only control his own performance.
“My feelings don’t matter. I’m not getting any grace. There’s no sympathy. This is the big leagues.”
JJ McCarthy Opens Up on ‘Tough’ Rookie Season from the Sidelines
McCarthy joined The Rich Eisen Show as part of his partnership with Sleep Number, which he credits with helping him manage his ADHD.
But the real headline? McCarthy is officially ahead of schedule in his recovery.
“I’m feeling fantastic … Couldn’t be in a better spot, honestly—mentally, physically, spiritually, and we’re just continuing to stack days at this point,” McCarthy said. “And with around 67 days until OTAs, we got a lot of time but not a lot of time to waste. We’re enjoying it, though.”
Despite the physical and mental challenges of missing the season, McCarthy found value in watching from the sidelines.
“Going from 15-0, national champion to your season ending and being a part of—but somewhat not a part of—the beautiful season that Minnesota had last year, it was tough,” McCarthy admitted. “But just being able to really witness and experience what it was like to be a successful team in the NFL, and also see some ways that we could always improve—that was an invaluable experience.”
McCarthy had to undergo two surgeries—one to repair his meniscus, and a second to address swelling during rehab. But despite the setback, his trajectory to be fully ready for OTAs remains unchanged.
McCarthy on Sam Darnold: “He Had a Beautiful Ability”
The biggest question of the Vikings’ offseason revolves around Sam Darnold—the quarterback who thrived in McCarthy’s absence. While Darnold could be the only thing standing between McCarthy and the starting job, the rookie has nothing but respect for his teammate.
“Mostly just how he handles success,” McCarthy said when asked what he learned from Darnold. “For me, it was more the observation of it and just witnessing how he was the same guy every single day. He had this beautiful ability to really not care too much and not care too little.”
McCarthy admitted that he struggles with balance, often caring too much about mistakes. Darnold, he says, showed him how to stay level-headed.
“That was something that I battle with because I care so much. And then I find myself in times when it doesn’t really go your way—which is inevitable—and you kind of get down on yourself and that critic gets a little louder.”
Darnold’s mindset made a lasting impact.
“He had a great ability to just keep the main thing the main thing and just focus on attacking each day. And he played really well this year, so it was really awesome to witness that.”
QB1 Decision Looms—Will It Be McCarthy or Darnold?
McCarthy understands that everyone has their own unique quarterback journey—including Darnold.
“To be a part of his at the time it was is a complete blessing,” McCarthy said. “A lot of experiences, lessons that I’m going to carry with me throughout the rest of my career.”
So, will McCarthy take the starting job in 2025, or will Darnold keep control of the offense? Minnesota’s decision could shape the franchise for years to come.
