Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy sends strong warning to the rest of the league ahead of the 2025 NFL season

After missing his rookie season due to a devastating injury, J.J. McCarthy says he’s ready to kick off the upcoming NFL season. As he focuses on his preparation, the talented Minnesota Vikings quarterback has sent a clear warning to the rest of the league.

In a recent conversation with the media, the former Michigan Wolverines standout declared that he feels ready to face what’s ahead—leaning heavily on his confidence and the talent he brings to the table.

“I know I’m ready to start,” McCarthy said in his press conference. “And I appreciate that question.” The QB was selected tenth overall by the Vikings in the 2024 NFL Draft, but his debut was put on hold after suffering a major setback early in the season.

“Because all the work that I put in and just the confidence in my skills and abilities,” he also added. “And just being able to do my job and simplify things to the best of my ability every single day. And just taking it one day at a time, one play at a time. I have a tremendous coaching staff, a tremendous group of guys around me that I can lean on and they can lean on me.”

J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings practices during Minnesota Vikings mandatory minicamp at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center on June 04, 2024 in Eagan, Minnesota.

All eyes on McCarthy as long-awaited debut nears

There’s no doubt McCarthy was considered one of the most talented quarterbacks of his draft class, but a serious injury kept him from showcasing his full potential on the field. Now, with that setback behind him, all eyes are on what the former Wolverine can bring to Kevin O’Connell’s team.

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“Personally, I think the more pressure the better for me. That’s something I thrive off of,” McCarthy said. “They always say the cliché, ‘Pressure is a privilege.’ But that’s something that you sign up for when you play in the National Football League, especially at the quarterback position. I feel like pressure, all it does is bring out what’s inside of you. And I feel pretty good about what’s inside of me. And the more pressure the better, honestly.

“I’ve always felt like ever since I was a kid, just any competitive environment I was in, I felt like I was at home,” the QB also added. “And obviously, playing at Michigan [where] there’s 110,000 [fans] and you’re one of the most prominent universities out there, I feel like that’s where I feel most comfortable, when the lights are the brightest, the stage is the biggest stage out there. And, yeah, I know there’s going to be a lot more of that to come.”