J.J. McCarthy Contract Details: Rookie QB Signs With Vikings

J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms on a contract. View the rookie quarterback’s contract details below.

J.J. McCarthy Contract Details

McCarthy is signing a four-year, $21.85 million contract, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Friday. The deal is fully guaranteed, with a $12.71 million bonus and a fifth-year team option.

The Vikings selected McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. McCarthy was the fifth of six quarterbacks taken in the first round, the most since the 1983 draft.

McCarthy is coming off a two-season run at Michigan, where he led the Wolverines to a combined record of 27-1. Michigan finished the 2023–2024 season as 15-0 national champions. McCarthy was named the MVP of the 2024 Rose Bowl.

McCarthy was the last unsigned rookie quarterback from the 2024 draft class. McCarthy’s teammate, Dallas Turner, and Cincinnati’s Amarius Mims are the only unsigned first-round players.

What Is The Minnesota Vikings Plan At Quarterback?

The Vikings selected McCarthy in response to Kirk Cousins departing in free agency and signing with the Atlanta Falcons.

In six seasons in Minnesota, Cousins led the Vikings to the playoffs twice, in 2019 and 2022.

McCarthy is viewed as the long-term successor to Cousins. However, he will enter training camp as the backup behind Sam Darnold, whom the Vikings signed in free agency.

Darnold spent last season in San Francisco as the backup to Brock Purdy. In six seasons, Darnold’s career record as a starter is 21-35.

McCarthy might begin the season as a backup, but he is expected to become the starter at some point this year.