MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 10: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball in the second quarter of the preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Even though the Minnesota Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in last years draft, he’s not walking in expecting to be handed the starting quarterback job. McCarthy himself confirmed that the team hasn’t promised him anything, and he prefers it that way.
“They haven’t told me, and I’m happy they didn’t because I try to earn it every single day,” McCarthy said on the “Up & Adams” show. “I never want that to be given to me.”
Despite Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones no longer being on the roster, McCarthy knows he has to prove himself. He’s coming off a knee injury and is embracing the challenge of competing at the NFL level. “I’m not getting any grace. There’s no sympathy. This is the big leagues,” he added.
With reports of the Vikings deciding not to pursue Aaron Rodgers, the expectation is that McCarthy will take over at some point, but he’s making it clear that he’s ready to earn it the hard way.
