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J.J. McCarthy's Fiancée Sends Message After Vikings Teammate Announces Personal News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 4:34 PM ET

When J.J. McCarthy and Katya Kuropas welcomed their son Rome in September, it marked another high-profile chapter in the life of the Minnesota Vikings' rising quarterback.

Just one year prior, McCarthy suffered a meniscus tear that sidelined him for the entirety of his rookie season, mere months after being selected 10th overall in the 2024 NFL draft.

Now, the football world is catching wind of a subtler rippling moment as on Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman shared an Instagram post announcing his engagement to longtime girlfriend Taylor Saunders on Thursday.

Soon after, Kuropas reshared the post, commenting, "I would cry ."

After undergoing surgery to repair his knee in 2024, McCarthy took over the starting QB role for the 2025 NFL season.

In just two games, he’s thrown for 301 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions, posting a 67.2 QBR and 21.6 passer rating.

His official debut on Sept. 8 against the Chicago Bears on "Monday Night Football" earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after a dramatic fourth-quarter surge.

In the final quarter, McCarthy completed 6-of-8 passes for 87 yards with touchdowns to Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones Sr.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) practices before the game at Soldier Field.© Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Meanwhile, he and Kuropas have built a strong relationship stretching back to high school: the couple started dating in October 2018, when he was a sophomore.

Even though McCarthy transferred from Nazareth Academy in Illinois to IMG Academy in Florida due to the COVID-19 pandemic cancelling his season at Nazareth, the couple stayed together and both graduated from high school in 2021.

While McCarthy was at Michigan, Kuropas was a regular at his games and the two got engaged in January 2024, just three months before McCarthy got drafted to the NFL.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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