Vikings Show Interest in Michigan QB JJ McCarthy

Could Minnesota be angling towards a selection of McCarthy?

The Minnesota Vikings are showing apparent interest in Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 2024 NFL draft, which begins on April 25, approaching. 

Minnesota is slated to have quarterbacks coaches Josh McCown and Grant Udinski in Ann Arbor for McCarthy’s pro day on Friday, and the team also has arranged for a private workout with the Wolverines signal-caller next week. That workout will be attended by Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported Monday. 

The Vikings are entering a new era at the QB position this offseason. 

The franchise saw Kirk Cousins depart for the Atlanta Falcons via free agency after six seasons in Minnesota, then agreed to terms with veteran Sam Darnold on a one-year deal this past week. 

In a move that heightened speculation that the club could potentially be angling toward selecting a QB in the upcoming draft, Minnesota dealt ’24 second- and fifth-round picks and a ’25 second-rounder to the Houston Texans in exchange for ’24 first- and seventh-rounders on Friday. 

McCarthy is seemingly one such QB the franchise is considering. 

The La Grange Park, Ill., native completed 67.6% of his passes for 6,226 yards with 49 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions while compiling a 27—1 record as a starter in three seasons in Ann Arbor. He helped lead the Wolverines to a national title in January. 

McCarthy is viewed as a potential top-10 pick in many NFL mock drafts.