Minnesota Vikings 1st round pick (No. 10 overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft, JJ McCarthy, had yet to sign his rookie contract, as of Friday morning. He and Dallas Turner, MN’s other 1st rounder (No. 17 overall) remained two of the only draft picks who had yet to put pen to paper.
JJ McCarthy is finally signing his rookie contract with the Minnesota Vikings
That will no longer be the case by the time the Vikings gather for training camp on Sunday. Per Adam Schefter (ESPN), McCarthy and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have finally come to terms on his deal, on that guarantees him four years, $21.85 million and comes with a $12.71 million signing bonus.
Sources: Minnesota Vikings No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy is signing a four-year, fully-guaranteed contract worth $21.85 million that includes a $12.71 million signing bonus and a fifth-year team option. pic.twitter.com/Cc9CE8A4nj
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 19, 2024
Early reports (via our friends over at The Purple Persuasion) indicate that McCarthy did indeed get his entire signing bonus up front, which was the reported sticking point in negotiations.
Now, both parties can focus on training camp
Now that this negotiation is over, JJ McCarthy can worry about preparing himself to be the starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings. Kevin O’Connell made it clear on The Power Trip Morning Show (KFAN) on Friday morning that JJ holds his future in his own hands, and the Vikings QB competition starts in just a couple days.
If he can blaze through the stages of development that KOC has set up for him, then he will have a chance to beat out Sam Darnold for QB1 sooner, rather than later. But he has a ways to go. Right now, they are focusing on his footwork and how to interpret the Vikings offensive system.
Related: Vikings’ Head Coach Confirms QB Competition in Training Camp
What the objective for each play really is, etc. That means JJ McCarthy could have quite a ways to go before he sees the field on Sundays (or Mondays or Thursdays). Don’t fret, though. He has only been in the system for a couple months and hasn’t even put on pads yet.
We still really have no idea how quickly McCarthy will move along in his development. For now, let’s just celebrate him being under contract. Starting next week, we’ll be scrutinizing every throw and handoff he makes… and I can’t wait.