Sitting on the sidelines throughout his first NFL season was difficult for J.J. McCarthy, but the young quarterback focused on being a great teammate and great student.
McCarthy joined The Rich Eisen Show Tuesday and chatted about a variety of topics.
Eisen, an avid Michigan Wolverines fan, has been a longtime follower of McCarthy and was thrilled to see him drafted 10th overall by the Vikings last spring. The rookie impressed during his performance in Minnesota's first preseason game but suffered a knee injury that put an early end to his season.
McCarthy confirmed with Eisen he's "ahead of schedule" in his recovery.
"Couldn't be in a better spot, honestly," he said. "Mentally, physically, spiritually. And we're just continuing to stack days at this point. And you know, with around 67 days till OTAs, you know, we've got a lot of time, but not a lot of time to waste."
Who's counting, right?
While acknowledging his current excitement, McCarthy didn't shy away from the roller coaster of emotions he's experienced over the past six months. After undergoing surgery, he supported quarterback Sam Darnold and the rest of the Vikings room en route to a 14-3 regular-season campaign and Wild Card playoff game against the Rams.
"For me, it's been really hard, if I'm going to be straight-up," McCarthy told Eisen. "Going from 15-0 [with Michigan], a National Champion, to your season ending and being … a part of, but somewhat not a part of, being on IR, that beautiful season Minnesota had last year. That we had.
"[But also] just being able to really witness and experience what it was like to be a successful team in the NFL and also see some ways that we could always improve. And you know for that, it was an invaluable experience and ultimately a blessing," McCarthy continued. "But the hardest part was seeing all my brothers go out there every single, Sunday, Monday, Thursday and, you know, not be able to put on the armor with them."
McCarthy explained that even while on Injured Reserve, he spent ample time around the Vikings practice facility and attended team, offensive and quarterback meetings. He learned from — and shared his own perspective with — Darnold, Nick Mullens, Brett Rypien and late-season addition Daniel Jones, and McCarthy also joined his teammates on the sideline as soon as he was medically cleared to do so.
He specifically noted benefits of Saturday QB meetings during which Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell would join the group.
"Something I really pinpoint about those meetings specifically is just K.O. talking about the offense, talking about the game plan for that week: what he likes, what he doesn't like and, most importantly, the 'why' behind it," McCarthy explained.
He added he did have weekly one-hour sit-downs with O'Connell that mainly revolved around "life and just getting to know each other" rather than Xs and Os.
"So it was awesome to pick Sam's brain, pick Nick's brain, Brett, Daniel, and just be able to see why they do the things they do. And hopefully add it to my repertoire if it resonates with me," McCarthy said.
In specifically keeping his eyes on Darnold, McCarthy highlighted how the elder QB handled success in 2024.
"Just witnessing how he was the same guy every single day. He had this beautiful ability to really not care too much and also not care too little," McCarthy said of Darnold. "That's something that I battle with because I care so much, and then I find myself in times when it doesn't really go your way, which is inevitable, and kind of get down on yourself, and that critic gets a little louder. But Sam had a great ability to keep the main thing, the main thing and just focus on attacking each day.
"He played really well this year, so it was really awesome to witness that," McCarthy added. "Everyone has their own individual quarterback journey, and to be a part of his at the time it was is a complete blessing. [And provided] a lot of experiences, lessons, that I'm going to carry with me throughout the rest of my career."
As far as what comes next for the Vikings quarterback room?
McCarthy assured he's taking each day as it comes and letting the cards fall where they may regarding Darnold and others' free agency status. He's careful to not allow questions about the coming days impact learning opportunities, especially when it comes to O'Connell.
"Coach O'Connell, he's one of the most genuine guys I know," McCarthy told Eisen. "At the end of the day, there's a lot of things that are certainly above my pay grade, and some things above his pay grade. … So just being able to just be in the moment with him, every time I get the chance to interact with him and really pick his brain.
"Those are a lot of the moments that I can miss [out on], thinking about the future, thinking about the uncertainties that I can't do anything about," he continued, "So it's really just optimizing each moment and each time I have with that great mind of the game, but most importantly, a great freaking human being."
Listening to McCarthy share his philosophies on life, it's sometimes easy to forget just how young (he turned 22 on Jan. 20) he really is.
He views the 2024 redshirt season as "a moment of stillness" that, though trying at times, offered the opportunity for reflection, growth and preparation. He focused on putting in as much effort as possible in the classroom and film study to ensure when he does back on the field, it's a smoother transition.
McCarthy is continuing to keep that same outlook, concentrating on becoming the best possible NFL quarterback he can be. His smile could be heard over the airwaves as he quoted former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, of course a favorite of Eisen's.
"I'm just going to control what I can control," McCarthy said, "and attack each day with enthusiasm unknown to mankind."
Tune into Tuesday's full episode of The Rich Eisen Show here.
