JJ McCarthy was supposed to be part of the Minnesota Vikings’ 2-0 start. We can debate whether he would have taken the QB1 job from Sam Darnold in Week 1 (doubtful). But that’s a pretty fruitless argument at this point.
And why dwell on the past? The ever-optimistic No. 10 pick certainly doesn’t. Not only can you see him riding around the TCO Performance Center on a scooter and crutches every day, interacting with teammates and attending QB meetings, but he also likes to call out his quarterback colleagues on social media. Especially Sam Darnold.
Related: JJ McCarthy is Sam Darnold’s biggest fan
Like Saturday, after his Michigan Wolverines pulled off a last-second comeback victory in the fourth quarter over the USC Trojans, in the latter’s Big Ten debut. The final score was 27-24, but Michigan was down by four points with less than two minutes left when they broke through that 55-yard drive and finished in the end zone nine plays later.
THE RUN MICHIGAN NEEDED!!!!!@UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/DKChaXVxby
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) 21 September 2024
As you all remember as smart, educated Minnesota Vikings fans, our current QB1’s alma mater was also in this contest. However, he was on the losing side. Sam Darnold was a star at USC for two seasons. As a Trojan, he threw for over 7,200 yards, 57 touchdowns and just 22 interceptions.
JJ McCarthy trolls Sam Darnold after Michigan’s win over USC
On his Instagram story after the win, McCarthy posted a 2005 Madden-style game menu graphic featuring an inside run. Below, where the name of the game would normally be, it said “Run Through a Motherf*cker’s Face.” And yes, that was the moment I knew for sure that JJ McCarthy was going to be great.
JJ McCarthy trolls Sam Darnold on Instagram after Michigan’s win over USC today 🤣 pic.twitter.com/cufEpvejNZ
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) 22 September 2024
I love this. Maybe you shouldn’t run to your 7-year-old with this article, but these are the kinds of things that bring teammates and teams together. Sam Darnold will not be the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback after 2024. The numbers don’t make sense.
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The Vikings are building their roster to be led by a rookie quarterback with a contract. Kevin O’Connell has made bad quarterbacks look serviceable and a failure look like the first-round pick he was supposed to be. Next year begins his most important mission.
This Minnesota Vikings team, man…
Turn a rookie quarterback who spent his entire first NFL season recovering from a preseason knee injury into an elite superstar. If he can do that – and there’s no reason to think he can’t – then he’ll prove what everyone already believes. That he’s THE new quarterback whisperer.
And that’s what makes these public interactions so great. This locker room isn’t worried about what happens in March. These things will take care of themselves. The 2024 Minnesota Vikings are worried about 2024 (and maybe January-February 2025).
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That includes their future QB trolling their current QB. Because camaraderie is important. There’s no doubt that this team has plenty of it. I don’t know when JJ McCarthy’s knee will be able to handle being on the Vikings’ sideline on Sunday. But I hope it’s soon, because I honestly think he could be an asset, even in casual clothes.
Read more: Minnesota Vikings News
