Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has reportedly "checked critical boxes early on" while serving as the club's full-time starter for the first time this summer. That doesn't mean the 2024 first-round draft pick was flawless across his first training camp practices after a meniscus repair sidelined him for his entire rookie season.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy isn't technically a rookie because he was drafted in 2024, but he's effectively one after missing his rookie season with a knee injury. McCarthy had surgery on his knee last August and he was competing with Sam Darnold prior to his injury,

McCarthy is ranked last among the six quarterbacks in expected improvement because of his lost rookie year. Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy can't improve upon his rookie season when he didn't even play thanks to an MCL tear he experienced during preseason.