JJ McCarthy says Vikings haven’t told him he’s the starter

The quarterback position remains in flux for the Vikings, who decided against using the franchise tag on 2024 starter Sam Darnold and watched as he signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks. They tried to re-sign veteran Daniel Jones, who spent the final six weeks of 2024 on their practice squad, but Jones opted for a one-year deal worth $14 million with the Indianapolis Colts, where he felt he would have a better chance to start.

Minnesota then spent nearly a week discussing the possibility of adding veteran Aaron Rodgers, who told the Vikings that his preference was to sign with them, sources have said. Last week, the Vikings decided to move forward with McCarthy during OTAs and minicamp, sources said, while leaving open the possibility of revisiting Rodgers this summer if he is still available.

Neither general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah nor coach Kevin O’Connell has spoken publicly since free agency opened. Adofo-Mensah is scheduled to meet with local reporters Wednesday.

McCarthy became the first NFL first-round quarterback in the modern draft era to miss his entire rookie season because of injury after tearing the meniscus in his right knee last August. He underwent a second surgery in November to investigate the cause of swelling, after which doctors gave him a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection.

Speaking to Adams, McCarthy said: “I would say I’m 100 percent” but added that he is remaining “consistent with the rehab process.”

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Quarterback Cam Ward believes he has “solidified” himself as the top overall pick in next month’s NFL draft, he said Monday after Miami’s pro day.

The Heisman Trophy finalist worked out in front of more than 90 NFL team staffers, including a full contingent from the Tennessee Titans, who own the No. 1 pick. At one point during his workout, Ward completed a pass and was seen speaking to Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi and president of football operations Chad Brinker after the play.

The gist of his message: I’ll see you next month.

“[I told them] ‘I’m solidifying it today,'” Ward said. “They finally got to see me throw in person. That should be all they need to see. But at the end of the day … I’m going to be happy whatever team I go to. I’m just trying to play football.”

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Ward set multiple school records in his lone season with the Hurricanes in 2024, including the single-season records for passing yards, completions, passing touchdowns and completion percentage. In his final collegiate game, he became the all-time FCS and FBS combined leader in passing touchdowns with 158.

The former zero-star recruit out of West Columbia (Texas) enrolled at Incarnate Word in 2020 and threw for 6,908 yards and 71 touchdowns in just 19 games over two seasons. He transferred to Washington State before the 2022 season, and threw for another 6,966 yards and 48 touchdowns with 16 interceptions in two seasons before transferring again to Miami.