The Minnesota Vikings recently put out word that they're all in on J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback heading into 2025. Those sources didn't bother adding the signal-caller to the text chain.
Asked by Kay Adams on the Up & Adams show from the 2025 NFLPA Golf Classic about when he found out he was the guy, McCarthy said the club never explicitly told him, nor did they need to.
"They haven't told me, and I'm happy they didn't because I try to earn it every single day," McCarthy said Tuesday. "I never want that to be given to me. It's such a privilege and an opportunity to give me that chance. I'm just gonna make the most of it every single day."
Actions speak louder than words, and the Vikings not pursuing another potential starting quarterback -- and not shelling out to keep Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones -- said plenty about their thought process for the second-year quarterback.
NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported last week that the Vikings rejected multiple trade calls for McCarthy and planned to move forward with the former Michigan product as its top option.
The news was framed as one reason the Vikings didn't plan on chasing veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
It makes logical sense that after McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury, the Vikings would give the No. 10 overall pick runway to take over the job.
The biggest key at this stage is the quarterback's health. McCarthy told Adams that he's feeling "fantastic."
"I mean, I would say I'm 100 percent," he said. "But yeah, just staying consistent with the rehab process and not wavering from that, and just staying disciplined with all the outside stuff and making sure I'm not chopping too much wood and doing all that fun stuff."
The 22-year-old said having the year to watch and learn should be a boon as he gears up to be the full-time starter.
"It was an ultimate blessing because you know it's just such a time of stillness where you really get to reflect and introspect and find a routine," the quarterback said. "Especially early on in this career, in this profession, it's huge for young guys to find that habitual routine that they can rely on and stay consistent with. So, I would say that was the biggest thing for me."
The biggest thing for the Vikings would be their first-round quarterback staying healthy in 2025 and becoming a game-changing force in Kevin O'Connell's offense.
