Vikings’ Star Tight End Has Some Big Praise for Rookie QB

Minnesota Vikings’ rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy has only been on the team for nearly three months and has already won over star tight end T.J. Hockenson. McCarthy was drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and is currently the highest drafted quarterback in franchise history.

The hype surrounding McCarthy has been there from day one, but he still has a lot to prove to the team to win that starting quarterback spot. While he has yet to earn the starting quarterback job for the Minnesota Vikings, J.J. continues to impress his new teammates.

Minnesota Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy grinds in the classroom and a baller on the field

Appearing on Bussin’ With The Boys, Hockenson expanded on a wide range of topics. And over the course of what ended up being a two hour show, the injured Pro Bowl tight end took a few minutes to praise the young rookie quarterback out of Michigan.

#Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson with some BIG praise over rookie QB J.J. McCarthy via @BussinWTB 👀

“He’s grinding in the classroom. He’s a baller on the field obviously… he’s earned the respect of a lot of guys in there… I’m excited that J.J. is on our team.”
– @TheeHOCK8 pic.twitter.com/aAXbTyDy4F

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) July 16, 2024

“He’s been incredible. He’s grinding in the film room. He’s grinding in the classroom. He’s a baller on the field… You know when you come into a facility into the league like you usually need to shut your mouth and go to work and that’s exactly what he did. He’s earned the respect of a lot of guys in there… I’m excited that J.J. is on our team and on our squad. Like I said, he’s a leader.”

T.J. Hockenson (Via Bussin’ With The Boys)

Hockenson’s outward praise of McCarthy doesn’t seem fake either. You could tell he meant what he said and how that has gained teammates’ respect.

Did Minnesota Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson hint at a quarterback competition in camp?

Despite spending a couple minutes on McCarthy’s success so far this offseason, he did mention quarterback Sam Darnold and his dominate showing thus far this offseason. Is Darnold the favorite to win the starting job? Yes, but the way Hockenson worded things makes it seem like we could see a competition in training camp.

Could #Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson actually be hinting at a QB competition between J.J. McCarthy and Sam Darnold? 🤔

After praising McCarthy, here’s what he had to say:

“We have Sam Darnold too who is a baller and can play the game at a really high level, so it’ll be interesting… pic.twitter.com/qLNYySyZxi

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) July 16, 2024

We have Sam Darnold too who is a baller and can play the game at a really high level, so it’ll be interesting what happens with the lot of those two.

T.J. Hockenson (Via Bussin’ With The Boys)

Related: Are Vikings’ First-Round Rookies Close to Signing Their Contracts?

The way Hockenson says “it’ll be interesting what happens with the lot of those two” is quite intriguing. This sounds like the door is somewhat open for McCarthy to come into camp, perform well, and possibly win the starting quarterback job prior to week one.

We’re still about two months away from the week one game against the New York Giants, but the way Hockenson recently spoke about McCarthy makes it feel like he’s coming along faster than people think.