After spending his rookie year on ice, J.J. McCarthy has thawed and is ready to go.

His responses Tuesday said it all, starting with addressing his readiness to take over atop the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback depth chart, Nick Shook of NFL.com reports. 

"I know I'm ready to start," McCarthy said after a workout open to reporters. "Because all the work I put in and just the confidence in my skills and abilities, and just being able to do my job and simplify things to the best of my ability every single day and just taking one day at a time, one play at a time and, you know, I have a tremendous coaching staff, a tremendous group of guys around me that I can lean on and they can lean on me."

McCarthy's rookie season last year ended before it truly began. The No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft showed flashes of promise in his preseason debut, but he suffered a knee injury that required season-ending surgery, sending him into the shadows of what ended up being a premier production. Sam Darnold starred, leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record and playoff appearance that disappointed only because it ended well before most expected when Minnesota lost to the Los Angeles Rams during Wild Card Weekend.

All the while, McCarthy was spending his time recovering and taking plenty of mental reps. It's a period that represents a significant reason for McCarthy's confidence entering 2025.

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