The Minnesota Vikings have an offense filled with veterans ready to win. However, the unit will go as far as J.J. McCarthy, who is in his second year but missed his entire rookie season due to injury, will take them. Nonetheless, one player sent a positive message to the young signal caller.
On Wednesday, tight end T.J. Hockenson shared a training camp update on what he's seeing from McCarthy as the former University of Michigan quarterback looks to lead Minnesota back to the playoffs.
"I mean, he doesn't feel like a young guy," Hockenson told reporters. "I mean, the way he controls the huddle, the way he comes in, his energy in the huddle, how he talks about the game, the level, and the mentality—it's high-level thinking. And so, when you're talking about a young guy, there are a lot of times you don't feel like that from him. And that's a lot of fun to see from just a second-year guy."
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Although it's McCarthy's first season as the starting quarterback, he has to replace Sam Darnold, who led the team to 14 wins and the playoffs. As a result, if Minnesota take a step back, there will be questions whether the organization made the right decision to let Darnold leave.
Nonetheless, Hockenson believes that the young Vikings quarterback has done all the right things behind the scenes this year and last year that will give him the upper hand to have a successful 2025 NFL season.
"He deserves all the credit," Hockenson added. "Last year, obviously, going into all the meetings. This year, just being as engaged as he has been and as much learning as he's done has been a lot of fun to watch. We'll just continue this and keep moving forward."
With Hockenson's remarks, it seems that the veterans believe in McCarthy and that he will take the baton from Darnold and have Minnesota record double-digit wins this season and reach the postseason.