The Minnesota Vikings are heading into this season with a new starting quarterback after last season’s starter, Sam Darnold, signed with the Seattle Seahawks following his resurgent season in Minnesota.
Now, J.J. McCarthy is set to step into the role left behind by Darnold, and star Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is getting candid about his relationship with the young quarterback.
Jefferson said that he is “trying to learn every bit (he) can” about McCarthy, according to the Star Tribune, and added that McCarthy is settling into his new role on the team.
“He understands the role that he has now,” Jefferon said of McCarthy, who missed all of what would have been his rookie season with a meniscus injury suffered during last preseason.
“He understands he is the starting quarterback at this moment. I feel like he kind of brings that with him to practice, knowing that he has to have that leadership. He’s the captain of our team.”
Jefferson also spoke about the benefit there’s been to being with the team during OTAs as opposed to waiting for when attendance is mandatory.
“Having a little bit of extra time to really bond with the team, build that connection and, of course, getting those reps with the quarterback,” he said, “it makes a big difference.”
It’ll be interesting to see what sort of connection McCarthy and Jefferson have in their first season on the field together.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.