Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy spoke to the media this week as the team begins their mandatory minicamp.
McCarthy was penciled in as the starter in 2025 after sitting out his rookie year with a knee injury. The results weren't what McCarthy or the team expected, as he struggled to find consistency and again battled injuries.
Now, going into 2026, the Vikings signed former Cardinal veteran QB Kyler Murray to at least challenge McCarthy as the starter, and with most NFL insiders suspecting it is Murray's job to lose.
Tuesday, McCarthy was asked if he requested a trade with his starting role looking like it's going to Murray.
"I think I made it very clear, I wanted to be here before I got here, and I love this organization," McCarthy said. "I love the coaching staff. I absolutely love these players to death. This is where I want to be, you know. I feel like I can thrive in this system. Everything played out exactly how I wanted it, and I wouldn't want anything else to change."
The next three days are the first on-field work for the two QBs as the team holds their mandatory player minicamp.
McCarthy also talked about if there is a legitimate competition with Murray for who starts under center when the Vikings open the regular season at U.S. Bank Stadium against those hated Green Bay Packers.
"It feels like the same thing every day," McCarthy said. "I mean, even last year, I'm just competing with myself to be the best kind of person I am for this team, and best kind of quarterback. And at the end of the day, you know, the more we do that, rising tide lifts all ships, and we'll be in a good spot by the end of it."
McCarthy says he feels the best he has ever felt playing the game of football, and is 100% healthy.
The mini camp concludes on Friday.
"I wanted to be here before I got here, and I love this organization"
"I wanted to be here before I got here, and I love this organization"
