QB J.J. McCarthy - 'I know I'm ready to start' for Vikings - ESPN

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings have bid farewell to three quarterbacks who spent time on their roster last season, including one — veteran Sam Darnold — who threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns. They passed on an opportunity to sign future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers, who had expressed interest in playing for them in 2025.

Why? They are ready to turn over the position to J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 pick of the 2024 draft, who has recovered from a torn meniscus in his right knee. McCarthy, speaking Tuesday to local reporters for the first time since last fall, appears as confident in himself as the team is in him.

«I know I'm ready to start,» McCarthy said, «because of all the work I've put in and just the confidence in my skills and abilities and just being able to do my job. And to simplify things to the best of my ability every single day. And just to take it one day at a time, one play at a time. And I have a tremendous coaching staff, a tremendous group of guys around me that I can lean on and they can lean on me.»

The Vikings cleared McCarthy this spring for full participation in their offseason program, which began last week. He said Tuesday that he has regained all of the roughly 25 to 30 pounds he lost during his recovery process and is now 215 pounds after dropping as low as the «high 180s» over the winter.

Some fans and observers were alarmed by broadcast images of his weight loss as he stood on the sidelines during Vikings games late last season. But on Tuesday, McCarthy confirmed ESPN reporting that it was the result of inaction during the initial stages of recovery. Once he began accelerating his activity in November, moreover, he suffered swelling that required a second surgery, a PRP shot to address