The Buffalo Bills' first two selections in the 2018 NFL Draft were quarterback Josh Allen, taken with the No. 7 overall pick, and defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, taken with the No. 96 overall selection.
Phillips and Allen spent four years together as teammates on the Bills before Phillips signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, where he has remained since.
Phillips watched Allen grow from a rookie who threw more interceptions than touchdowns, to a budding star and Pro Bowler who developed into a leader. Phillips is getting deja vu with his new young quarterback, J.J. McCarthy.
"I've commented before about (how) he came to me the week after his injury to try to learn more about the defense," the Vikings defensive tackle said on Monday, via SI.com. "Asking those great questions. He's really stepped up in the personal power role (this year). In the locker room, I'm constantly seeing him go up to new guys, to new players, dapping each other up, sitting on the couches and just having conversation. Where last year it was off to rehab, off to meetings. He understands that we have to build a family here and that you can't have unique results without unique relationships."
McCarthy was selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but missed his would-be rookie season due to a torn meniscus discovered in the preseason. McCarthy became the first quarterback in NFL history to miss his entire rookie season due to injury after being a first-round selection.
The injury has not deterred the former Michigan standout, who won a National Championship in 2023. According to Phillips, his blossoming leadership is reminiscent of Allen.
"And then, man, he's got some confidence. And he reminds me of Josh Allen when I was with him in Buffalo, coming into his own and understanding the power that he has to lead this organization, and he's doing a fantastic job doing that."
McCarthy was a highly-touted prospect in the draft. He threw 22 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons, throwing just nine interceptions between his two final collegiate years. McCarthy led the Big Ten with a 72.3 percent completion rate in 2023.