Free agent acquisition Sam Darnold is heading into training camp as the presumptive starter at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. This much we know.
We also know that rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy isn’t going to sit on the bench forever. He will take over at some point, and it seems like he’ll have the full backing of the locker room whenever that time comes.
Safety and defensive chess piece Joshua Metellus gave McCarthy his endorsement earlier this off-season, and now tight end T.J. Hockenson has chimed in with another ringing endorsement. During his interview on Barstool’s “Bussin’ with the Boys” podcast, Hockenson had this to say about McCarthy:
He’s been incredible. He’s grinding in the film room, he’s grinding in the classroom. He’s a baller on the field, obviously. But to have a guy, especially a rookie, come into a facility and to the league, you usually need to shut your mouth and go to work and that’s exactly what he did. He’s earned the respect of a lot of guys in there.
Making a change at quarterback mid-season can often divide a locker room and lead to a rift in the team. If McCarthy is to take over for Darnold at some point this season, it seems like team chemistry won’t be something head coach Kevin O’Connell needs to worry about.