TC DAY 12 ~ Aug. 12th

Cricket wrote:

https://x.com/WillRagatz/status/2087656619928621469?s=20

Good job, Kid

J.J. McCarthy on his relationship with Kyler Murray:

"He's just one of my teammates that I care for and respect. Just like all of my teammates in that locker room. It's about just doing whatever I can for the (QB) room and this team and moving forward."

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 12, 2026

JJ was (not surprisingly) subdued...

Said all the right things, not sure if he still wants to be here or not?

Says he does...

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J.J. McCarthy on being the Vikings' backup QB

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy spoke after practice today about being the team's backup behind Kyler Murray.

He said he was "obviously disappointed," but plans to stay prepared in case he's needed.

"A decision was made that was out of my control, and obviously every competitor wants to play, but moving forward, it's just about continuing to work hard and just staying ready for when my number's called," McCarthy said.

strib

Good for JJ. I am so happy he handled it the way he did. Good job, Kid.

J.J. McCarthy on if he sees a future for himself with the Vikings:

"Like I said before, this is the place I want to be. I love every single person in this building, I love this state, I love the fan base. I'm gonna continue to just do whatever I can for this team and this…

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 12, 2026

greediron wrote:

But why? Why does a team put a 2nd stringer up to talk with the media? Seems counter productive.

I think it's a good idea. He's very popular among Viking fans and players on the team. I think it's important for everyone to hear him say he's not demanding a trade, that he's still committed to improving and he stands with the team 100%. After this presser though, that's probably it for McCarthy and the media for awhile.

Cricket wrote:

https://x.com/VikesVV/status/2087604696739463494?s=20

Looks like he fell asleep in a puddle of bleach, but coaches LOVE glue guys.

How we liking this answer sports fans?

Cricket wrote:

https://x.com/JasonHarmonNFL/status/2087644417758839281?s=20

His job at Seattle was pro scout, this is his wheelhouse.

J.J. McCarthy spoke for five minutes this afternoon about the Vikings' quarterback decision and his mindset moving forward. "It's in the past."

Quotes here: https://t.co/MzGQKdGn6d

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 12, 2026

Vikings third-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy spoke to reporters on Wednesday for the first time since Kyler Murray was named the team’s starting QB a day earlier, ending a two-week competition for the job. In a five-minute session after practice, he talked about controlling what he can control and continuing to put his head down and work hard to help the team.

“Look, a decision was made that was out of my control,” McCarthy said. “Obviously, every competitor wants to play. But moving forward, it’s just about continuing to work hard and staying ready for when my number’s called.”

When McCarthy says it was out of his control, he’s talking about the ultimate decision made by head coach Kevin O’Connell, not the work he put in every day during the process.

“There’s so many things out of our control, like the heat today,” he said on an 88-degree afternoon. “It’s just really having the discernment to figure out which of the two (things are). That was one of the things outside of my control. Me attacking and optimizing every opportunity was in my control, and that’s all I was focused on.”

McCarthy said he was “obviously disappointed” when O’Connell told him the news, but he’s accepted it and is moving on.

“I’m a competitor,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s in the past. I’m moving on to the next practice, the next rep, the same mindset I had going into it, and focusing on the Giants this week.”

McCarthy, who has been named the Vikings’ No. 2 quarterback by O’Connell, believes he’s come a long way since a difficult debut season last year. Three preseason games this month should give the former No. 10 pick an opportunity to put that on display, starting on Saturday against the Giants at MetLife Stadium.

“I’m really proud of my development,” McCarthy said. “I feel like I’ve grown in so many different areas, and gonna just continue to do that. I’m gonna keep my head down and keep working.”

Here are a few of the other things McCarthy said on Wednesday. Some of the questions are paraphrased.

Do you think you have a future in Minnesota as a starter?

“Like I said before, this is the place I want to be. I love every single person in this building, I love this state, I love the fan base. I’m gonna continue to just do whatever I can for this team and this organization.”

Does this decision motivate you?

“There’s a lot of things that motivate me, but nothing’s gonna take away that internal drive. Regardless of circumstances externally, I’m gonna focus on getting one percent, two percent better every single day. This is just a speed bump, and going out there every day and attacking it the same way is all I’m focused on.”

Do you feel you got a fair shot to win the starting job?

“Honestly, I wasn’t thinking about that at all. I was just thinking about that opportunity, the next opportunity to capitalize on and continue to develop and grow.”

What has your relationship been like with Murray?

“He’s just one of my teammates that I care for and respect. Just like all of my teammates in that locker room. It’s about just doing whatever I can for the (QB) room and this team and moving forward.”

Do you believe you’re a starting QB in the NFL?

“Yes, I believe so. I’m always gonna have that confidence in myself no matter what. But at this time, it’s doing whatever I can for the team and being ready when my number’s called. That’s all that matters and that’s all I can control.”

What’s been the biggest challenge in your career?

“There’s different challenges. No matter how big or small, you really don’t know the intensity of it until afterwards, when you hit that next challenge. It’s just about staying in the moment, enjoying the ride, enjoying the journey, and learning as much as you can on the way.”

JustInTime wrote:

https://twitter.com/vikingzfanpage/status/2087669714352738467How we liking this answer sports fans?

Grammar wise, it was wince worthy. But otherwise, he said the right things and now we are done talking about him. Until we need him later in the season.

Terrell is the 🐐 pic.twitter.com/bpsJQecy1P

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 12, 2026