J.J. McCarthy will be wearing a “C” on his jersey in his first career start for the Minnesota Vikings.
The team announced Thursday the second-year quarterback out of Michigan is one of eight team captains for the upcoming season. Quarterback captains are common across the NFL, but it’s still a notable achievement for a 22-year-old who missed his entire rookie season because of a knee injury.
All eyes will be on McCarthy when the Vikings open at division rival Chicago on Monday Night Football Sept. 8. The team finished 14-3 in 2024 with Sam Darnold behind center, but he inked a three-year, $100.5 million with the Seahawks this offseason.
With Darnold departing in free agency, Minnesota is handing the offense to McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in 2024. He started the team’s preseason opener and completed 4 of 7 passes for 30 yards while also scrambling for 8 yards to move the chains.
McCarthy, who went 27-1 as a starter at Michigan, has a wealth of offensive weapons around him, including one of the best receivers in the game in Justin Jefferson. With the former five-star recruit earning a C, the Vikings have Wolverines as captains.
Safety Josh Metellus is entering his second year with the distinction.
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