NFL Rumors: J.J. McCarthy, Vikings Agree to 4-Year, $22M Guaranteed Rookie Contract

The Minnesota Vikings reportedly have their next franchise quarterback under contract.

J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings agreed to terms Friday on a four-year, fully-guaranteed deal worth $21.85 million, including a $12.7 million signing bonus, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The contract includes a fifth year option.

Minnesota made it clear it wanted the Michigan product when it traded up to select him with the No. 10 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft.

That the Vikings ended up with McCarthy didn't come as a surprise, as they were connected to him before the draft. They also conducted a private workout with him, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

They ultimately only moved up from No. 11 to No. 10 to get him with other quarterbacks going in the top eight in Caleb Williams (No. 1), Jayden Daniels (No. 2), Drake Maye (No. 3) and Michael Penix Jr. (No. 8).

McCarthy was one of the more intriguing storylines going into the draft, as he led the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff national championship and was largely excellent in his final collegiate season even if there were question marks about his overall ceiling because he wasn't asked to do too much in Jim Harbaugh's offense.

Michigan largely relied on a strong defense and running back Blake Corum, but McCarthy still completed 72.3 percent of his passes for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions while adding 202 yards and three scores on the ground.

His ability to avoid critical turnovers worked perfectly as part of a team with Corum and the formidable defense.

And it will also work perfectly in Minnesota if he can replicate that since he will once again be surrounded with plenty of talent.

Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson and Aaron Jones make up as strong of a group of surrounding playmakers as a rookie quarterback could ask for, and McCarthy will simply be tasked with getting the ball into their hands and avoiding mistakes.

That is something he consistently did at Michigan, so the partnership with the Vikings makes plenty of sense.