6 days Ago By Billy Heyen
J.J. McCarthy hadn't spoken to local reporters since last fall.
That's how it goes after a season-ending injury before playing a regular season snap for the Minnesota Vikings. McCarthy, drafted No. 10 overall in 2024, got back with the media on Tuesday.
And he had plenty to say. This offseason was filled with rumors about the Vikings possibly signing Aaron Rodgers and whether McCarthy was ready after his knee injury. "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.
" MORE: Why Cowboys, Nick Chubb free agent signing makes sense Sounds like a confident guy. McCarthy told reporters he lost 25-30 pounds during his recovery process but has gained all the weight back and is a sturdy 215 pounds. "It was just the combination of not moving at all, not working out," he said.
"I'm somebody that needs to work out in order to put on weight.. It's amazing how fast it kind of peaks and valleys, but I'm feeling like I'm in a really comfortable spot and just kind of maintain it from here.
" McCarthy got positive reviews during training camp last summer before being hurt in the preseason opener. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell hasn't named McCarthy the starter officially, but his competition is currently just Sam Howell, Brett Rypien and Max Brosmer. "I've got to win it with myself every single day," McCarthy said.
"It's a competition with myself and obviously it's just putting your best body of work, my best body of work, out there. But it comes with looking myself in the mirror every night and [saying], 'Did I get better?' And if I keep this non-comparative aspect to it, and just really focus on being the best version of myself, that's really where I'm aiming and that's where I'm trying to go." MORE NFL NEWS: President Trump shares his take on the tush push for the Eagles 3 potential issues with George Kittle's contract extension Deion Sanders' surprise role in Shedeur's draft slide revealed Deion Sanders fired by son after Shedeur's draft slide Full details of Shedeur Sanders prank call revealed Shedeur Sanders will start when he's ready and could rescue Browns QB woes Why Shilo Sanders, Buccaneers make sense together Why Giants 'need' to let Jaxson Dart start Sean Taylor's legacy lives on in Washington with new signing Giants' Daniel Jones mistake emphasized by Colts' Riley Leonard draft pick Buccaneers' plan for Shilo Sanders revealed Buccaneers can play 464-pound, 350-pound linemen together Cowboys' Trevon Diggs is in trouble with contract The reason the Giants rejected Shedeur Sanders The Rams' $17 million reason a Jalen Ramsey deal is going to happen Saints reveal feelings on QB Tyler Shough's advanced age Bears' Colston Loveland makes NFL history before playing a snap.
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