(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings made the sensible choice with the No. 10 overall pick in this April’s NFL Draft and took quarterback J.J. McCarthy out of Michigan fresh off a National Championship with the goal of taking over for Kirk Cousins as the team’s franchise quarterback.
It took a little while, but McCarthy finally signed his rookie contract and is now ready to go ahead of training camp with no distractions.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that McCarthy is signing a four-year, $21.85 million deal with a $12.71 million signing bonus and a fifth-year option, all of which is standard of a rookie deal for a top-10 pick.
Sources: Minnesota Vikings No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy is signing a four-year, fully-guaranteed contract worth $21.85 million that includes a $12.71 million signing bonus and a fifth-year team option. pic.twitter.com/Cc9CE8A4nj
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 19, 2024
McCarthy will likely start the season on the bench as the Vikings also signed veteran Sam Darnold in free agency to a one-year deal, and Darnold will have the chance to prove he can be this year’s Baker Mayfield and thrive in the right offensive system in what could be his last chance to prove he is a capable starting QB in the NFL.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell gave Darnold his vote of endorsement as the starter after a strong performance at OTAs, and O’Connell sees McCarthy as a work in progress at the moment, so the team isn’t rushing him to be the franchise savior.
Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner and Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Amarius Mims are now the only two players from the draft who have yet to sign their rookie deals.
Signing McCarthy was obviously never in doubt, but it’s always nice to get the formalities out of the way and get to work.
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