His last meaningful time on the field was with the Michigan Wolverines in college. McCarthy led that team to a national championship win under the leadership of Jim Harbaugh. He's hoping to bring those winning ways with him to Minnesota.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has reportedly "checked critical boxes early on" while serving as the club's full-time starter for the first time this summer. That doesn't mean the 2024 first-round draft pick was flawless across his first training camp practices after a meniscus repair sidelined him for his entire rookie season.