Latest news with #JJMcCarthy
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Young QB Draws Josh Allen Comparison From Former Buffalo Bill
Young QB Draws Josh Allen Comparison From Former Buffalo Bill originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills' first two selections in the 2018 NFL Draft were quarterback Josh Allen, taken with the No. 7 overall pick, and defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, taken with the No. 96 overall selection. Advertisement Phillips and Allen spent four years together as teammates on the Bills before Phillips signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, where he has remained since. Phillips watched Allen grow from a rookie who threw more interceptions than touchdowns, to a budding star and Pro Bowler who developed into a leader. Phillips is getting deja vu with his new young quarterback, J.J. McCarthy. "I've commented before about (how) he came to me the week after his injury to try to learn more about the defense," the Vikings defensive tackle said on Monday, via "Asking those great questions. He's really stepped up in the personal power role (this year). In the locker room, I'm constantly seeing him go up to new guys, to new players, dapping each other up, sitting on the couches and just having conversation. Where last year it was off to rehab, off to meetings. He understands that we have to build a family here and that you can't have unique results without unique relationships." McCarthy was selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but missed his would-be rookie season due to a torn meniscus discovered in the preseason. McCarthy became the first quarterback in NFL history to miss his entire rookie season due to injury after being a first-round selection. Advertisement The injury has not deterred the former Michigan standout, who won a National Championship in 2023. According to Phillips, his blossoming leadership is reminiscent of Allen. "And then, man, he's got some confidence. And he reminds me of Josh Allen when I was with him in Buffalo, coming into his own and understanding the power that he has to lead this organization, and he's doing a fantastic job doing that." McCarthy was a highly-touted prospect in the draft. He threw 22 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons, throwing just nine interceptions between his two final collegiate years. McCarthy led the Big Ten with a 72.3 percent completion rate in 2023. Related: Bills Signing Can Be More Than Just Emotional Reunion Related: Bills New Receiver Turning Heads in Josh Allen Offense This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vikings Coach Reveals J.J. McCarthy Message He Told Aaron Rodgers
Vikings Coach Reveals J.J. McCarthy Message He Told Aaron Rodgers originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Vikings have come clean that they did have conversations with Aaron Rodgers during the peak free-agency period. Advertisement After all, when a four-time MVP calls, you pick up the phone. However, the weight of those conversation, whether there was a legitimate chance for Rodgers to sign with the Vikings, remains salient in the minds of fans. The flirtation with Rodgers has been used as a demerit toward J.J. McCarthy, who embarks on his first season as the team's true starter after he was not forced into the role with Sam Darnold in the building a year ago. In an appearance on KFAN radio, Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell offered insight into what his conversations with Rodgers looked like. Former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8).Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images While the idea of plugging Rodgers into the Vikings roster was enticing, O'Connell admitted that he was not just considering what the upcoming season would look like, but also how it would impact the future -- ergo McCarthy. Advertisement 'When there was an opportunity, when him and I connected this offseason just to kind of talk about what that would look like, we had a lot of great dialogue about it,' O'Connell said on June 6. 'But it always was centered around what was best not only for the present in the Minnesota Vikings organization, but the future. 'I was very honest about my feelings toward J.J.,' he added. 'My obligation that I felt like we were going to give him the best possible situation to begin and thrive on this NFL journey and let's see where it goes.' Since the Vikings drafted McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, every decision has been geared toward putting him in the best position to succeed -- including balking at the possibility of working with Rodgers. Advertisement An all-in move for Rodgers would have potentially given Minnesota a better chance at a championship this season, but it would come at the expense of McCarthy's development and future roster-building to aid him. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah admitted that McCarthy would have sat his rookie year regardless of how well he performed had he not gotten injured late in training camp. However, it's time to kickstart McCarthy's development after a year lost. The biggest question entering the 2025 offseason was not whether McCarthy would be prepared enough to play, but rather, would be physically ready after recovering from meniscus surgery. Advertisement The 22-year-old quarterback has put those concerns to rest in organized team activities (OTAs), prompting Rodgers to finally commit to signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers this week. Years of speculation on whether Rodgers would fulfill the prophecy of following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Brett Favre, actually almost came to fruition this time around. It was the closest the NFL has ever gotten to seeing it happen. However, if all goes to plan with McCarthy, Rodgers-to-Minnesota may never be mentioned again. Related: Vikings Make Brutally Honest J.J. McCarthy Admission Amid QB Questions Related: Concerns Grow Over Vikings Team Captain's Behavior at OTAs This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell reveals why he rejected Aaron Rodgers as he lifts lid on talks with veteran QB
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has revealed he turned down the chance to sign Aaron Rodgers as he's focused on doing what's best for the 'future' of the franchise. Rodgers, who finally signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers this week, was linked with a move to the Vikings after being released by the New York Jets back in March. Reports suggested Minnesota was the 41-year-old's preferred landing spot, yet O'Connell has instead opted to go with JJ McCarthy, 22, as his starting quarterback for next season. And the Vikings coach says he explained his thinking to Rodgers, whom he considers a good friend after knowing each other for close to two decades. 'When there was an opportunity, when him and I connected this offseason just to kind of talk about what that would look like, we had a lot of great dialogue about it, but it always was centered around what was best not only for the present in the Minnesota Vikings organization, but the future,' O'Connell said about the four-time MVP on Minneapolis radio station KFAN-FM 100.3. 'I was very honest about my feelings toward's JJ, my obligation that I felt like we were going to give him the best possible situation to begin and thrive on this NFL journey and let's see where it goes. We stayed in touch and had some communication.' He then added: 'Out of respect for our friendship and everything, that's about as much as really kind of happened. I still talk to him and the next time I talk to him it's going to be the same old, same old. 'He's different than people probably think, but I think that's all part of it in this day and age.' Minnesota went 14-3 with Sam Darnold at quarterback last season, before the 27-year-old Pro Bowl selection signed a three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks. McCarthy is now set to be promoted and fill the void left by Darnold over a year since he was drafted by the Vikings with the 10th overall pick. 'He's having a great spring,' O'Connell said about his new quarterback. 'We're pretty darn close to having a good feel for where he's at. 'He's had a great offseason. He's healthy, strong, throwing the ball great, fundamentals — everything you hope for in the spring.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Minnesota Vikings Superstar Present for Start of Voluntary OTAs
The Minnesota Vikings are getting together for the first day of Organized Team Activities, Tuesday. Unlike with other NFL teams, who might be dealing with highly-paid no-show QBs, the annual highly-ranked vibes in Eagan remain 'immaculate'. From everything insiders can gather, chatter surrounding JJ McCarthy — who's thrown just 17 preseason passes during his NFL career — is unanimously positive. This, after the Vikings built a Super Bowl caliber roster around the redshirt rookie this offseason, totally revamping the interior of both lines through free agency and the draft, while also adding depth to the rest of the roster. Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Twins Because of those new additions, most healthy Minnesota Vikings players were expected to be in attendance this week, as the team looks to build rapport as quickly as possible. With that being said, if there is one player who would have been excused for missing VOLUNTARY Offseason Team Activities this year (outside of maybe Harrison Smith), it's superstar wide receiver, Justin Jefferson. Advertisement Related: Kirk Cousins No-Shows Falcons The 2x All-Pro and 4x Pro Bowler has earned the extra time off. Besides, at the end of the 2025 season, health permitting, we all know Jettas is going to finish near the top of the leaderboard in all receiving categories. But as we have come to find out, the longer Justin Jefferson is in Minnesota, that's just not how the our superstar is wired. Of course Justin Jefferson was at day one of Minnesota Vikings OTAs With a new quarterback (and lockermate) to gain rapport with now healthy and wearing his red jersey this week, there was no chance Justin Jefferson was going to miss a chance at putting that horned helmet on (literally) alongside him. Advertisement And late-Tuesday afternoon, we got proof of Jettas dedication when the team posted a video to their social medias of Justin Jefferson running out of TCO indoor facilities, to the outdoor practice fields. Right before him, was a video of McCarthy running across the sideline in his helmet and red practice jersey. One year after signing what was then the largest non-QB contract in league history, Jefferson — who's going on his third season as team captain — turned around and helped Kevin O'Connell spin former top three pick-turned-bust Sam Darnold into a Pro Bowl quarterback. In 2024, with Darnold under center, Justin Jefferson caught 103 passes for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns, bringing his career totals to 495 receptions, 7,432 receiving yards and 40 touchdowns caught, over 77 games. Why Jefferson would show up for Voluntary OTAs? (Hint: JJ McCarthy) Last week, Justin Jefferson spoke about his relationship building mission with JJ McCarthy. In that interview, the soon-to-be 26-year-old phenom made it very clear how acutely aware he is to the fact that McCarthy holds the key to Jefferson's future HOF bust in Canton. Advertisement Related: MN Vikings Insider Unable to Dig Up Any Dirt on JJ McCarthy For that reason alone, it's no surprise that No. 18 is in attendance today… even beyond what Justin brings to the team as a captain and a leader. Despite all the new pieces on roster, arguably the biggest reason why most pundits still expect the MN Vikings offense to succeed, no matter who's under center, is Justin Jefferson. What makes Jets so special, though… is that, while he may be the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, through his first four professional seasons, Justin is an even better human and teammate, than he is a football player. And that, my friends, is something you rarely see from professional athletes, especially those with the talent and star power of this man.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MN Vikings Insider Unable to Dig Up Any Dirt on JJ McCarthy
The Minnesota Vikings have gathered in Eagan today, at TCO Performance Center, for their first full-team workout of the offseason, officially named 'Voluntary Organized Team Activities', or what most refer to as OTAs. It's an exciting time for the Vikings, as coaches and teammates get their first look at redshirt rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy, after he impressed those around the organization last spring and summer, after being drafted No. 10 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft Advertisement Then, right as his training camp competition with Sam Darnold as starting to heat up, McCarthy went 11-of-17 for 188 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception (116.8 QB Rating) in his first preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, before realizing the next day that something was wrong with his knee. Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings An MRI then revealed a tear his meniscus, which required surgery and a full season to heal. Now, all of that is behind JJ, as the Minnesota Vikings kick-start voluntary OTAs this week. So far, everything we've heard, both publicly and behind the scenes, regarding McCarthy, has been positive. Nothing negative anywhere to be found on JJ McCarthy In fact, according to Darren Wolfson (KSTP) on Tuesday's episode of Mackey & Judd (SKOR North), he couldn't dig up any negative dirt on JJ McCarthy, even if he was looking for it. Phil Mackey asked Wolfson if anyone, off the record, has tried to smear McCarthy's name. The answer… is no. Advertisement Not one person out of the many Minnesota Vikings contacts in Darren's rolodex has offered up one bit of negative information on the future face of the organization. Why? Probably because everyone loves the kid so damn much. Mackey: 'Outside of the injury, literally everything everyone has said about [JJ McCarthy] has been positive. So, I am wondering, is there anything [negative out there about him]? Like, what's the worst thing we can say about JJ McCarthy right now, 13 months in.' Wolfson: 'I'm not sure there is anything, Phil. No, I mean to answer your question, the answer is no. I have not. And trust me, I correspond with a lot of people. Now, if I did hear something negative, I prefer if somebody attaches their name to the statement, as opposed to me passing it along on background. But I'm just telling you, truthfully, no. I've not heard one bad thing about J.J McCarthy. You think about him leading IMG Academy to a national championship in high school, helping Michigan win a national championship in college. The two, like it's not a coincidence, put it that way. There is something about JJ McCarthy, however you want to define 'It Factor', JJ has it.' DMackey & Judd Show (SKOR North) Remember, the Minnesota Vikings believe so much in McCarthy's readiness to take over as QB1 immediately, that they were in no hurry to ink a requisite veteran to compete with the Michigan product during camp. Related: Kirk Cousins No-Shows Falcons McCarthy's biggest challengers in Minnesota's 2025 QB room, at least for now, are Brett Rypien and Sam Howell, young career backups, who are 28 and 24 years old, respectively. Howell and Rypien have combined to make 22 total starts through the course of their NFL careers. New Minnesota Vikings QB has the 'It Factor'… Yet, head coach Kevin O'Connell and the rest of the MN Vikings organization appear unphased by the fact that this redshirt rookie QB, with zero starting experience in the NFL, is about to be tasked with leading an otherwise Super Bowl ready roster into the 2025 season. Advertisement But if you have to ask 'why' KOC would be so willing to hand the keys over to JJ McCarthy, then you haven't been paying attention. Wolfson goes on to talk more about JJ McCarthy's 'It Factor' and just how special those inside TCO Performance Center really believe he can be.
