Vikings' McCarthy: Minnesota hasn't told me I'll be QB1

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy said Tuesday that Minnesota hasn't told him whether he'll be the starter under center for the 2025 season.

"I'm happy they didn't because I try and earn it every single day," McCarthy told Kay Adams on the "Up & Adams show."

He added: "I never want that to be given to me. It's such a privilege and opportunity to give me that chance."

Reports surfaced last week revealing the Vikings are no longer interested in signing free-agent signal-caller Aaron Rodgers and will roll with McCarthy as their starter for the upcoming season. They reportedly declined multiple trade offers for the 2024 first-round pick.

Rodgers, 41, remains unsigned and isn't in a rush to decide where he'll play or if he'll even suit up next campaign, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The 22-year-old McCarthy missed the 2024 season after suffering a knee injury in August. After undergoing multiple surgeries to deal with it, he says he's doing well heading into the spring.

"I would say I'm 100%," McCarthy told Adams. "Just staying consistent with the rehab process and not wavering from that and staying disciplined with all the outside stuff."

Minnesota spent $275.4 million in free agency this offseason, the second-highest total in the league, according to Over The Cap. The Vikings finished second in the NFC North last campaign and were eliminated by the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round.