Minnesota is moving full steam ahead with J.J. McCarthy under center, and everyone from the top down has nothing but confidence in the second-year quarterback.
The latest Vikings member to speak up from a long line of admirers of the 22-year-old is co-owner and president Mark Wilf.
"He has a gravitational pull as a leader. He really does," Wilf said Wednesday during an interview with KFAN's Paul Allen, via the team website. "The talent is there. Coach (Kevin) O'Connell is glowing in his praises of how he's handled everything, and from an off-the-field perspective, we couldn't be happier. So all things are pointing the right direction, and we're going to be supporting J.J. to have him be the success we want him to be."
It's been a long road to becoming Minnesota's presumptive starter for McCarthy.
He was set for a competition with Sam Darnold as the No. 10 overall pick in 2024, and he flashed starting stuff in his preseason debut with 188 yards, two touchdowns and a pick on 11-of-17 passing. However, he tore his meniscus that same game, an injury the required surgery and a rookie season spent recovering on the sidelines.
McCarthy watched on as Darnold revived his career, leading the Vikings to a surprisingly dominant 14-3 regular-season record. Elsewhere, fellow rookies Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix fueled their teams playoff berths, and Drake Maye and Caleb Williams both had an opportunity to get their feet wet.
But with Darnold departed to the Seahawks, Minnesota is officially McCarthy's team, as evidenced by the Vikings passing on veteran starters in free agency and only adding Sam Howell as depth through a draft weekend trade.
McCarthy, for his part, is confident he's ready to take the reins. His head coach has sang his praises, and now so too has one of the team's owners.
Taking over such an experienced team coming off a hugely successful season, McCarthy has all the support he needs to thrive, but he'll also need to fit Wilf's assessment of him as a leader to achieve a seamless transition.
In the months ahead, the gravity of moving to McCarthy as starter will set in.
The last time he played meaningful football, he helped the Michigan Wolverines to their first undisputed national championship since 1948.
Minnesota, which has never won a Super Bowl, will hope for McCarthy pens a similar story in the future.
