The Minnesota Vikings are in the midst of a playoff race in the NFC. With quarterback JJ McCarthy recently returning from injury, Minnesota is hoping to go on a run that will land them playoff bids in consecutive seasons since 2008 and 2009.
Running back Aaron Jones has been a big part of the Vikings' success over the last two games, and he joined AllSportsPeople to discuss a variety of topics, including his young quarterback, his former quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, and where the Vikings can go this season.
JB: Talk to me about your quarterback JJ McCarthy being back in the lineup and what he brings to the table in your experience with him so far.
AJ: JJ, he's a true leader. Somebody who you want back there leading your team. He always keeps you present no matter what's going on during the game. Whether it's going your way or it's not. He's going to stay in your ear. He's going to give you that confidence. And you could just see it in his eyes when it's game time that he's ready to ball, and he's a guy who comes in every day high spirits, lifts everybody up, smile on his face, and is hungry to get better. So when you have, when you have that mixture and a quarterback, feel like they're going to be successful.
JB: What's going through your mind after Week 2 when he goes down with an injury and you guys turn everything over to Carson Wentz?
AJ: That's just it's football. Next man up mentality. We let everybody know they're here for a reason, and at some point your number will be called. We just don't know when or maybe why, but at some point your number will be called if you make the 53 man roster, each person on the roster is valuable, and so it was to us as next man up. We were confident in Carson as well. He can go get it done. And he came out there and won us a couple games before he got injured, but definitely it was good to have JJ back with him going down as well. So for us, it's next man up mentality. Whoever is back there throwing it, they have our full confidence. We're rallying behind them and ready to go.
JB: Speaking of quarterbacks, when you guys were over in Ireland, you your former quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, shared a moment I you know I'm I can ask what was said. I know that's personal, but talk to me about Aaron Rodgers and others that you spent with him together, just how special was to see him again.
AJ: Definitely super proud of him. That's what I let him know, that I was proud of him, and just thanked him for what he's done for me and my career. He's a great human being. He's a great leader. He's helped develop me into a leader that I am today. So just thanking him and letting him know that. It's good to see him back on the field having fun, smiling and doing what he does. So that's always, my guy. I got a lot of love for him. Like I said, I don't know where I'd be in this game without him, so he's been very instrumental. And it's always good to see him, run into him, or get to spend a little time with him.
JB: Do you have a favorite memory of playing with him?
AJ: Yeah, actually. Running on to take my first snap. Both of the running backs went down and I run on, and he goes, "I'm probably one of your biggest fans in this organization now, is your time kid." And I'm like, "Wow, this is coming from a future Hall of Famer."
JB: I know that you have a few things you wanted to talk about today, starting with a partnership with Hormel. Take us through what's going on there.
AJ: Yeah, Hormel Black Label is partner with Frank's Fred hot to bring us a spicy bacon. It's bold, smoky and unapologetically spicy. You have to try it. I've tried it numerous different things. Of had it on a burger. That was the first thing I tried it on. But excited to be partnering with them. We're running a on everything challenge to so fans can submit their boldest, spiciest bacon and hot sauce recipes for me to try on stream, November 11, on my on my social media. So fans you can, you can submit on social media, looking forward to what you guys put out there for me. To try make it interesting, make it bold and make it hot.
JB: I love it, alright man I appreciate you giving me some time today. Good luck through the rest of the season.
AJ: Appreciate it, man.
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