For the first time in about a year, former Michigan football quarterback J.J. McCarthy played in an NFL preseason game, this time as the starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings.
McCarthy played in one preseason game last year, throwing a couple of touchdown passes before suffering a season-ending achilles injury.
4/7 passing
30 passing yards
3 total first downs@jjmccarthy09 led the #Vikings to a FG in his only drive this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/WBXawpqB4K— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 9, 2025After a year of rehab, as well as Minnesota passing on the chance to sign Aaron Rodgers or keep Sam Darnold, McCarthy is the projected starter.