J.J. McCarthy addresses recovery from meniscus procedures

As this chance awaits, McCarthy said he is fully recovered from the two meniscus procedures that defined his rookie year. Kevin O’Connell said (via ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert) the second-year quarterback will have no restrictions during the Vikings’ offseason program. While pressure will await as McCarthy prepares to take the reins for a team that went 14-3 last season, the former national championship-winning passer expects to be at the controls in Week 1.

“I know I’m ready to start,” McCarthy said (via Seifert), “because of all the work I’ve put in and just the confidence in my skills and abilities and just being able to do my job. And to simplify things to the best of my ability every single day. I have a tremendous coaching staff, a tremendous group of guys around me that I can lean on and they can lean on me.”

Although McCarthy’s weight dropped into the 180s during his recovery, the Michigan product said he is back up to his 215 playing weight. This post-surgery road, though, included a November hiccup; swelling led to a PRP injection. Since that point, McCarthy has ramped up and will be ready to throw once the Vikings begin OTAs this month.

McCarthy, 22, was poised to challenge Darnold for Minnesota’s starting job at some point last year. While Darnold was to be the Vikes’ Week 1 starter, McCarthy was on track to put that status in question. Though, the way Darnold performed, a full-season redshirt for the rookie would have certainly been in the equation had McCarthy stayed healthy. Darnold signed a three-year, $100.5MM Seahawks deal, removing a bridge from the Vikings’ 2025 QB blueprint.

In addition to McCarthy, O’Connell said Christian Darrisaw has not endured any setbacks during rehab from ACL and MCL tears. With that injury occurring in late October, Darrisaw returning by Week 1 will be in play. The Vikings let fill-in Cam Robinson defect to the Texans in free agency. Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, who suffered an ACL tear in July, will be expected to return to football activities by spring’s end, O’Connell added (via the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling). O’Connell added Javon Hargrave and Will Fries, free agents coming off season ending injuries (pectoral tear, broken leg), will likely be limited to start the offseason program.

Elsewhere on the Vikings’ roster, Isaiah Rodgers is set to compete for a starting job. The team re-signed Byron Murphy hours after it added Rodgers, but O’Connell confirmed (via Seifert) DC Brian Flores targeted the recent Eagles contributor for his defense. Flores also pushed for Blake Cashman and for an Andrew Van Ginkel reunion. Those additions helped Minnesota form a top-five defense, and they could help give the veteran coach some room to give Rodgers a long look as a starter.

A nine-game Colts starter in 2022, Rodgers has started three games since his 2023 gambling suspension. Veteran Jeff Okudah, given a one-year deal worth $2.35MM, is aboard as potential insurance. Rodgers signed a two-year, $11MM contract that came with nearly $8MM guaranteed at signing.