JJ McCarthy was supposed to be a part of the Minnesota Vikings 2-0 start. We can debate whether or not he would have taken the QB1 job from Sam Darnold, by week one (doubtful). But that’s a pretty fruitless argument, at this point.
And why linger in the past. The always upbeat No. 10 overall pick sure isn’t. Not only can he be seen daily scootering and crutching around TCO Performance Center, interacting with teammates and sitting in on QB meetings. He also likes to shout his fellow QBs on social media. Especially Sam Darnold.
Related: JJ McCarthy is Sam Darnold’s No. 1 Fan
Like on Saturday, after his Michigan Wolverines completed a 4th quarter, last-second, comeback victory over the USC Trojans, in the latter’s Big Ten debut. The final score was 27-24, but Michigan was down by four points with under two minutes left, when they broke this 63-yarder, and then finished in the endzone, nine plays later.
THE RUN MICHIGAN NEEDED!!!!!@UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/DKChaXVxby
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 21, 2024
As I’m sure all of you remember, being the bright, learned Minnesota Vikings fans you are, our current QB1’s alma mater was also playing in this contest. He was on the losing end, though. Sam Darnold was a stud for two seasons at USC. He threw for over 7200 yards, 57 touchdowns and just 22 interceptions as a Trojan.
JJ McCarthy trolls Sam Darnold after Michigan’s win over USC
So, in his Instagram story, following the victory, McCarthy posted a 2005 Madden style play menu graphic of an inside run. Underneath, where the name of the play would normally be, was written “Run Through a Motherf*cker’s Face”. And yeah, that was the moment I knew, for sure, that JJ McCarthy was going to be great.
JJ McCarthy trolling Sam Darnold on Instagram after Michigans win over USC today 🤣 pic.twitter.com/cufEpvejNZ
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) September 22, 2024
I love this. Maybe don’t run to your 7-year-old, with this article, but this kind of thing is what brings teammates, and teams together. Sam Darnold is not going to be the quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, after 2024. The numbers don’t make sense.
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The Vikings are building their roster up to be led by a rookie contract QB. Kevin O’Connell has already made bad quarterbacks look serviceable, and a bust look like the 1st rounder he was drafted to be. Next year, his most important mission will start.
This Minnesota Vikings team, man…
Turn a rookie QB, who spent his entire 1st season of NFL football recovering from a preseason knee injury, into an elite superstar. If he can do that, and there is no reason to believe he can’t, then he’ll prove what everyone already believes. That he is THE new quarterback whisperer.
And that is what makes these public interactions so great. This locker room isn’t worried about what happens in March. Those things will take care of themselves. The 2024 Minnesota Vikings are worried about 2024 (and maybe Jan-Feb 2025).
Related: Minnesota Vikings Should Just Extend Kevin O’Connell Now
That includes their QB of the future trolling their QB of the now. Because camaraderie matters. Without a doubt, this team has a bunch of it. I don’t know when JJ McCarthy’s knee will be able to handle being on the Vikings sidelines, on Sunday. But I hope it is soon, because I honestly believe he could be an asset, even in street clothes.