J.J. McCarthy has no limitations for offseason work, coach says - ESPN

EAGAN, Minn. — Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy won't have any limitations during the team's offseason program, coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday as players reported for their first day of voluntary workouts.

McCarthy, the No. 10 pick of the 2024 draft, missed his rookie season because of a torn meniscus in his right knee but has been working at the team facility for most of the past three months to build his body back from the long layoff.

«I think he's ready to hit the ground running as of today,» O'Connell said.

The Vikings haven't named McCarthy their 2025 starter, but they have bid farewell to three quarterbacks who spent time with them last season — Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones and Nick Mullens — and have not yet signed a replacement. Brett Rypien is the only other quarterback on the roster. The Vikings held serious internal discussions about signing veteran Aaron Rodgers last month but put the idea on hold while McCarthy works through the offseason.

O'Connell said Monday that «we've got a pretty detailed plan for how we want to go about» adding one or more quarterbacks to the roster. The delay can be partially attributed to the NFL's post-draft deadline for free agents affecting teams' formulas for compensatory draft picks. But general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said last week that the formula is not the only factor.

«We've been patient and really evaluated a lot of different ways we could potentially do that,» O'Connell said of adding another quarterback. «There's potential trades and free agency and still the draft. We're going through a process of just figuring out who is the player that we want to solidify that room with knowing that J.J. and Brett are here working, starting today, and eventually we'll complete