While in Mexico for an NFLPA golf tournament this week, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy sat down for a few minutes to have a chat with Kay Adams of the "Up & Adams" show.
During the conversation with Adams, McCarthy was asked when the Vikings officially told him that he would be the team's No. 1 quarterback moving forward, and the former Michigan signal-caller couldn't have given a more perfect answer.
"They haven't told me [and] I'm happy they didn't because I try to earn it every single day. I never want that to be given to me. It's such a privilege and opportunity to give me that chance, and I'm just going to make the most of it every single day.
Minnesota Vikings will be just fine with J.J. McCarthy as their QB
It is completely fine for people to have concerns about McCarthy taking over as Minnesota's starting quarterback next season. He's coming off a significant knee injury, he's never thrown a pass in a regular season NFL game, and he's only 22-years-old.
But with his comments on the "Up & Adams" show, McCarthy continues to make it clear that he is never going to take anything for granted when it comes to being a starting quarterback in the NFL, and that's something the Vikings should be very excited about.
McCarthy has plenty of talent, but Minnesota's coaching staff is going to help him make the most of that talent, and his extreme willingness to learn is not something that can be said for every young signal-caller who enters the league.
He is very aware of what the Vikings expect from him, and he knows that he doesn't have to put the entire team on his back next season. Minnesota's offense is packed full of talent with guys like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones, and all McCarthy really has to do is get the ball in his playmakers' hands.
With Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell pointing him in the right direction, McCarthy has a great shot at having one of the most memorable debut seasons by a Minnesota quarterback in the history of the franchise.