Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy may only be 22 years old, the youngest starting quarterback heading into Week 1, but he’s certain he’s battle-tested.
Approaching his first career NFL start on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, McCarthy made his feelings on the matchup clear, touting his readiness after missing his entire rookie season due to a meniscus injury.
“Most prepared I’ve felt in my life,” McCarthy said in a September 3 news conference, adding that he’s prepared with backup Carson Wentz for all the variables that could come into play for a season opener. “You never really know what you’re going to get… so the most important thing is just staying locked into the simple things, locked into what my job is that play, and then reacting to what the defense is giving me. But very prepared and very confident.”
“Most prepared I’ve felt in my life,” he said, adding that the feelings playing at Michigan were more intense.
“Pure excitement, pure confidence.”
Born and raised in La Grange, Illinois, McCarthy’s return to Soldier Field is sure to conjure some butterflies. However, he said the jump from high school to playing at Michigan was more intense.
“It really doesn’t [compare], to be honest with you,” McCarthy said. “Just playing so many big games at Michigan, obviously, it’s a different level here. But just having those reps of those emotions that you feel, and how you handle them, and how you manage them. But this one, there’s just pure excitement, pure confidence.
J.J. McCarthy Explains Handling the Emotions of First NFL Start
As a high schooler, McCarthy transferred to Florida prep powerhouse IMG Academy before the global pandemic. Away from his home, McCarthy adopted a meditation practice and mindfulness to handle the anxieties of the time.
Those habits followed him to Michigan, where he led the Wolverines to an undefeated national championship season before he was selected 10th overall in the 2024 draft.
Ahead of Monday night’s primetime matchup, McCarthy showed his intent to remain poised despite the emotions that will come.
“I just try to be completely present. There’s going to be anxiousness, excitement and a whole lot of adrenaline. At the end of the day, that’s completely normal, and accepting those emotions, you’re able to let go of them a lot quicker than trying to deflect them and avoid them,” he said. “I know I’m going to be amped up, but I know that Coach O’Connell’s going to put me in a great position and my teammates around me are going to do everything they can to make sure we’re successful each and every play.
“It’s just stay present, stay calm and centered.”
“I just try to be completely present, there’s going to be anxiousness, excitement and a whole lot of adrenaline. Accepting those emotions, you’re able to let go of them.”
Bears’ Caleb Williams Addresses Budding Rivalry With Vikings’ JJ McCarthy
As the Vikings and Bears reset at the quarterback position in the 2024 draft, many acknowledged the potential for what could be a decade-long rivalry between McCarthy and No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams.
The two first-rounders are slated for their first-ever meeting on Monday, which could set the stage for just that.
As a rookie, Williams went 5-12 as a starter for a Bears team that saw its head coach and offensive coordinator fired. He threw for 3,541 yards passing, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions despite the dysfunction.
While Williams is not familiar with McCarthy, he did not discount McCarthy’s ability to compete and the potential for a rivalry.
“I don’t necessarily know McCarthy… but I know he’s a competitor,” Williams said on Wednesday, September 3. He’s won some games at the college level and won a national championship. He’s a competitor.
“The rivalry part of it, we’ll have to see.”
Vikings’ JJ McCarthy Makes Feelings Clear on NFL Debut vs Bears