J.J. McCarthy Says He's Ready to Be Vikings' QB1 for 2025 NFL Season Amid Injury Rehab

One month after J.J. McCarthy said he hasn't been told where he stands on the Minnesota Vikings' depth chart, the second-year quarterback definitely seems ready to take control of the offense.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, McCarthy told reporters "I know I'm ready to start" when asked if he thinks he's ready to be QB1.

McCarthy told Kay Adams on the March 25 episode of the Up & Adams Show that the Vikings hadn't told him if he was going to be their starter in 2025 and he was "happy they didn't" because it allows him the chance to earn it.

That comment came around the time Minnesota was being rumored as a potential landing spot for Aaron Rodgers after Sam Darnold left in free agency.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell said on March 31 that the interest in Rodgers was not about them wavering on McCarthy's ability, but rather a unique opportunity to at least discuss bringing in another quarterback that everyone in the Vikings organization has "so much respect for" when they competed against him.

That statement came after Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said they were no longer actively looking to add to their quarterback room.

The Vikings did add to their quarterback depth over the weekend by acquiring Sam Howell from the Seattle Seahawks. This move would seem to suggest McCarthy is being plugged in as the starter since Howell hasn't started a game since the 2023 season.

McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, was battling with Darnold to be the starter in Minnesota summer before a torn meniscus suffered in the preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders ended his rookie year prematurely.

A two-year starter at the University of Michigan, McCarthy led the Wolverines to a national title in his final season. He threw for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and a 72.3 completion percentage in 15 games.

Minnesota won 14 games with Darnold starting at quarterback last season, but the team had to settle for a wild card spot after finishing behind the Detroit Lions in the NFC North.

The Vikings' season came to an end in the wild-card round with a 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.