After a forgettable 2023 NFL season in which the team finished with a record of 7-10 and missed the NFL playoffs entirely, the Minnesota Vikings were determined to make some drastic changes during this NFL offseason, namely at the quarterback position.
With veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins rehabbing from a season-ending Achilles injury, the Vikings let him walk in NFL free agency, as he ended up signing a lucrative long-term contract with the Atlanta Falcons worth $100 million guaranteed.
Obviously, the Vikings weren’t willing to sign Cousins to a contract extension, especially coming off an injury that has ended a lot of careers in the NFL.
Fortunately, Minnesota owned the No. 11 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which was thought to potentially be high enough to land one of the most talented young quarterbacks in this draft class.
Even though the Vikings had to trade up one spot, Minnesota was able to land J.J. McCarthy out of the University of Michigan, and according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, he is already making a major impression on the team and the media.
“One thing is very, very obvious after watching J.J. McCarthy for two practices: The velocity cliche of ‘the ball jumps out of his hand?’ I’m not sure it’s ever been more apt for a dude. He has MAJOR juice,” he tweeted.
One thing is very, very obvious after watching J.J. McCarthy for two practices: The velocity cliche of “the ball jumps out of his hand?” I’m not sure it’s ever been more apt for a dude. He has MAJOR juice.
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) May 21, 2024
This is excellent news for the Vikings, who want McCarthy to be successful under center in Minnesota sooner rather than later, as they want to take advantage of superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson being in his prime.
McCarthy was one of six quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, an NFL record.
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