Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates after the 34-13 win over Washington to win the national championship game. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

J.J. McCarthy reveals 'dream' scenario of joining home state team

By Nicholas Meyer | Last updated 3/2/24

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy's draft stock has risen sharply in the months leading up to his much-anticipated NFL Scouting Combine appearance in Indianapolis this week.

On Friday, McCarthy's thoughts on possibly playing for his home state's NFL team, the Chicago Bears, were revealed in a video posted on X.

USA Today projects that the Illinois native will be taken between the 11th and 12th picks by teams ranging from the Minnesota Vikings to the Denver Broncos.

The Bears are expected to take USC star Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. That didn't stop McCarthy from speaking about the possibility that he would end up in the Windy City.

"It's been one of my dreams of mine, whether I'm playing for the Bears or against them," McCarthy said in Indianapolis.

He also revealed a formal interview with Chicago that he described as "awesome."

“It’s been one of my dreams”

JJ McCarthy on playing for the Bears after growing up in LaGrange Park. pic.twitter.com/GB2zhhZd7Q
— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) March 1, 2024

McCarthy finished his collegiate career with a 27-1 record as a starter, the third-best mark since Toledo's Chuck Ealey (35-0) and Oklahoma's Jimmy Harris (25-0).

He headlined a class of 18 Michigan football attendees at the combine.

While McCarthy is expected to be selected at the tail end of the top ten, his former head coach Jim Harbaugh said early last month that he would not be surprised if McCarthy was the number one quarterback taken on April 25.

"Arm talent, athleticism, it-factor, winning the numbing repetition. Don't be surprised, if when he's the number one quarterback off the board. That's my prediction right now," Harbaugh said to host Colin Cowherd on Feb. 2.

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