J.J. McCarthy makes a promise to a legendary Vikings QB

Fans of the Minnesota Vikings learned that University of Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is the man the franchise hopes will lead the team into the future when the team traded up to select him No. 10 overall at the 2024 NFL Draft.

Minnesota prepared for McCarthy's transition to the NFL by signing Sam Darnold to handle quarterback duties until the rookie is ready for action but that doesn't mean the conversation about the National Champion's future is put on hold.

Talks about his expectations and projections are everywhere on the internet and choosing to wear the No. 9 jersey opened a discussion about former Vikings quarterbacks Tommy Kramer and Jim McMahon previously using that number.

J.J. McCarthy makes a promise to a legendary Minnesota Vikings QB

It didn't take long for Kramer to speak with McMahon about their common jersey number and give the young quarterback their blessing to wear the No. 9 jersey. Kramer shared those sentiments in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on April 25.

On Thursday, Kramer met with new Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, shook the young man's hand, and spoke for a moment. The conversation was an extremely respectful one with the rookie speaking highly of the fan-favorite former passer.

McCarthy thanked Kramer for allowing him to wear the No. 9 jersey, adding that it means a lot to him and that he wants to continue the legacy paved by Kramer, showing a huge amount of appreciation for the team's history.

Tommy Kramer was a first-round pick of the Vikings in 1977. "Two Minute Tommy" played 13 seasons in Minnesota where he threw for 24,775 yards, 159 touchdowns, and 158 interceptions while making the Pro Bowl in 1986.

Kramer was also the NFL's comeback player of the year in 1986. He played in 13 games that season, throwing for 3,000 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions after throwing a career-high 26 interceptions during the previous season.

Although McCarthy doesn't seem like the same kind of gunslinger that Kramer was, there is hope he can have a long and fruitful career with the Minnesota Vikings. If he can come close to starting 110 games for the purple and gold, the rookie's place in the franchise will be solid.

Keep an eye on J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings this season. When the time comes for the rookie to shine, all eyes will be on his play and fans will be hoping the team has found their offensive leader for many years to come.