Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper had high praise for second-year QB J.J. McCarthy in an interview with Jack Green of Betway Insider.
It says a lot about what the Vikings as an organization see in JJ,” Culpepper said to Green. “For one, they drafted him high and they’ve done their homework on him. I feel the same about JJ. I think he’s a great quarterback. I don’t think he gets enough credit athletically, based on the offense that he played in at Michigan. I got a chance to be around him for about three weeks last month and I’ll tell you I was blown away with his accuracy, his ball placement and just the zip he has on his passes. I was very impressed, and his footwork is very, very good. So he’s primed to have a great year and I’m pulling for him.
Culpepper went on to say that McCarthy has an “it factor.” Clearly, the Vikings see it too, as they named him one of the captains for this season.
McCarthy missed all of last season after tearing his meniscus in the 2024 preseason. He had the benefit of watching veteran Sam Darnold all season as he led them to a stellar 14-3 record.
Does McCarthy Have What it Takes To Lead Vikings to Another Successful Season?
McCarthy was considered by many to be nothing more than a cog in the wheel of a generationally talented Michigan team during his college career when he put up 49 touchdowns and 11 interceptions over three years as a Wolverine.
But McCarthy led the Wolverines to a 27-1 record as a starter and was a major player in their National Championship win in 2023. McCarthy may be a system quarterback, but maybe that’s all the Vikings really need. Sam Darnold was just a system quarterback last season and Minnesota was one of the best teams in the NFL.
McCarthy has good measurables and by all accounts has had a very good training camp. If all he is as a player is Sam Darnold, but he has elevated leadership skills, something that was lacking late last season with Minnesota, then by all means he should have success with a talented roster around him and the tools to be a leader.
McCarthy’s Accolades
Just in case Daunte Culpepper’s word isn’t enough to convince you that J.J. McCarthy has what it takes to be a good NFL starter, here are some accolades that McCarthy racked up during his time at Michigan: Best career winning percentage by a college quarterback since 1971, Big Ten QB of the Year in 2023, Michigan’s program leader in completion percentage and interception rate and, most importantly, a National Champion.
McCarthy has one of the more accurate arms in the NFL, and with Justin Jefferson working the outside for you, that’s all you really need. Is he going to blow anyone away with crazy athleticism like Lamar Jackson or Jayden Daniels? No. Does he have the arm strength of Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes? No. But is he going to go out every week and deliver a well managed game with minimal turnover risk?
I’d bet on yes.
Former Vikings QB Backs J.J. McCarthy to Become NFL’s Next Star