McCarthy Shows Love to Home Fans

McCarthy Shows Love to Home Fans originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Minnesota Vikings went 14-3 last season, but it ended with a thud. After losing to the Detroit Lions in Week 18, the Vikings were bounced from the playoffs in the wild-card round by the Los Angeles Rams.

Despite winning 14 games, Minnesota is making a change at quarterback under fourth-year head coach Kevin O'Connell.

O'Connell has a 34-17 record in the regular season but is still searching for his first postseason win. He’s turning to J.J. McCarthy in 2025 to replace Sam Darnold as the team’s new starter.

The former Michigan Wolverines star missed all of last season with a fully torn meniscus in his right knee. After undergoing surgery, he became the first quarterback taken in the first round to miss his entire rookie season due to injury.

Now, with the 2025 NFL training camp underway, Minnesota is putting its full attention on McCarthy, who has a strong supporting cast around him.

McCarthy sat down with the NFL Network on Saturday and shared his thoughts on playing in Minnesota: "We got the best fanbase in the NFL, I guarantee that."

"We got the best fanbase in the NFL, I guarantee that."

JJ McCarthy has a lot of love for @Vikings fans 🫶

Back Together Weekend – Live on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/tDNqIln3So

— NFL (@NFL) July 26, 2025

The Vikings averaged more than 66,000 fans per home game last season. U.S. Bank Stadium has a capacity of 66,200, expandable to 72,000 for special events. It’s been the team’s home since 2016.

McCarthy also expressed his excitement about seeing fans return for training camp:

"I'm so looking forward to seeing them here and hearing the SKOL chant," McCarthy said. "Just being able to interact with them individually and as a collective, they are just awesome. Nothing but gracious and supportive ever since I got here, and I can't wait to do great things for them this year."

The 22-year-old was the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He led Michigan to a College Football Playoff title in January 2024 and was named Big Ten Quarterback of the Year that season.

McCarthy is listed ahead of Sam Howell and Brett Rypien on the depth chart. He’ll have two proven weapons at receiver in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison as well as talented tight end T.J. Hockenson.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 26, 2025, where it first appeared.