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Nashville, Tenn. And The biggest question that goes into training camp for Minnesota Vikings is about Quarterback JJ McCarthy, the team’s first round, which could not touch the field during the regular season last year due to a torn meniscus.
Main coach Kevin O’Connell and the rest of the organization have been firmly by the fact that McCarthy, the Michigan Wolverines product, is their guy who moves on despite other options on the table.
The team’s words were supported by not signing a real veteran competitor who could overshadow McCarthy on the way into the season nor work on a quarterback.
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Minnesota Vikings Quarterback JJ McCarthy (9) Practice under MiniCamp at Minnesota Vikings training facility. (Matt Krohn-IMAGN images)
After completing Mandatory MiniCamp, McCarthy has impressed his teammates with what he can do on the field. He was in meeting rooms and on the sidelines all last season, but now he is the guy, tight end tj Hockenson is already excited about everyone to see what he can do.
“It’s my dog,” Hockenson told Pakinomist Digital from McCarthy, while attending the fifth annual Tight End University (TEU), the three-day summit that was running by NFL stars Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Greg Olsen. “He’s one of the best people I’ve been to.
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Hockenson really thinks McCarthy has a bright future ahead of him and he said he will be there “every step on the road to help him navigate and help him become the one he can be” on and off the field.
But McCarthy is a year removed from competitive football and begs the question of what gets the Vikings exactly from the Quarterback position.
Last season, O’Connell found all Sam Darnold’s forces as the ex-new York Jet’s third overall elections had a career season in Minnesota. Maybe that’s exactly what the Vikings hope happens to McCarthy too.
However, Hockenson believes he possesses what is needed to be great.
“He has that switch. He turns on when he gets on the field,” he explained. “You don’t really notice that when you just hang out and talk to him, but he really wants it. He really wants everything to be perfect and he’s a perfectionist with certainty, which is great. That’s how you have to be like a quarterback in this league.”
Hockenson also said that McCarthy’s “Arm Talent Is Insane,” which was a bank of some evaluers coming out of college.
“You know, [the ball] Zips on you and he can turn it. It’s been a lot of fun to see him in OTAs and [I] Can’t wait to get out there with him in camp and through the season. “
TJ Hockenson #87 from Minnesota Vikings warms up before the game against Detroit Lions at US Bank Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Berding/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Hockenson returned to TEU to continue to strengthen his ties with his colleagues at tight ends over the league. It’s easy for Hockenson, who lives only 15 minutes away during the high season, so he makes it a point to get here, get a job and learn among his friends who also want to get better.
“Coming here and having all the guys it’s good to be around travis, be around George. I mean I’m around [Kittle] Every day we are around each other every day. To see some of the guys off the field and really make the connection, really meet them out of football, it’s a lot of fun. So that’s what I try to get out of it every year, learn some things on the field, some tips, help guys every year and then be able to create these connections and build relationships from the field with these guys. “
