J.J. McCarthy Drops Blunt Message on Top Rookie QBs Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been patient, but make no mistake — he’s coming.

In his first set of long-form, exclusive interviews since suffering a season-ending knee injury in August 2024, McCarthy showed himself to be both poised and hungry as he approaches his first true shot at the NFL level

McCarthy spoke with Sports Illustrated on Tuesday, February 3, and addressed his place among what proved to be a stellar rookie class of quarterbacks.

“The quarterback rookie class, J.J., has gotten so much attention,” the interviewer said. “You got Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels — both candidates for Offensive Rookie of the Year. How hungry are you to have your skill set added into that conversation?”

“[Let’s] just say it’s a caged animal that’s been climbing uphill for a long time,” McCarthy responded.

J.J. McCarthy Spoke About Difficulties of Rookie Season, Fellow QB Sam Darnold

That wasn’t McCarthy’s only television/radio/podcast appearance of the day, nor was it his only meaningful quote.

The Vikings rookie quarterback also spoke to “The Rich Eisen Show” and addressed at length the difficulties and learning experiences of this season, his relationships with head coach Kevin O’Connell and fellow signal-caller Sam Darnold and his desire to get on the field as quickly as possible.