Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, J.J. McCarthy had openly expressed his aspiration to play for the Minnesota Vikings, labeling it a “dream come true.” Following the draft proceedings, it became evident that the Michigan alum’s sentiments were genuine. Shortly after the Vikings secured McCarthy as the No. 10 overall pick, his former college coach, Jim Harbaugh, affirmed to reporters that the quarterback had harbored strong desires to join the Vikings.
“Having conversation with J.J., that’s where he wanted to go,” Harbaugh said. “That’s where he had his heart set on. I’m just so happy for him. I love him like a son, and I was praying and pulling for it to work out the way he wanted it to work out. And the stars aligned, and congratulations to Minnesota. They got themselves a great player.”
Despite lingering speculation that Harbaugh’s current team, the Los Angeles Chargers, might orchestrate a first-round trade with the Vikings, his acknowledgment lent credence to McCarthy’s preference for Minnesota.
“It would mean the world,” McCarthy previously told “The Adam Schefter Podcast” of potentially landing with the Vikings. “Just because Coach (Kevin) O’Connell, he’s a guy that I’d run through a brick wall for. Everything that he wants to do with his football team is something that I wanna be a part of.Obviously, being in the NFC North, being a Bears fan my entire life, and being able to play at Soldier Field and stay in the Midwest and all that good stuff, it’d be just a dream come true. Obviously the weapons there are limitless, so … it’d be a blessing to be a part of it.”
In a heartening turn of events, McCarthy’s joy was shared not only by Harbaugh but also by star Vikings wide receiver, Justin Jefferson. McCarthy disclosed to reporters that Jefferson promptly reached out to him on Thursday night, extending a warm welcome and sharing his “Jets” moniker to distinguish him from the “real J.J.” in Minnesota. Jefferson’s gesture aimed to bolster McCarthy’s confidence as he embarked on his NFL journey.
