J.J. McCarthy will be wearing a “C” on his jersey in his first career start for the Minnesota Vikings.

The team announced Thursday the second-year quarterback out of Michigan is one of eight team captains for the upcoming season. Quarterback captains are common across the NFL, but it’s still a notable achievement for a 22-year-old who missed his entire rookie season because of a knee injury.

All eyes will be on McCarthy when the Vikings open at division rival Chicago on Monday Night Football Sept. 8. The team finished 14-3 in 2024 with Sam Darnold behind center, but he inked a three-year, $100.5 million with the Seahawks this offseason.

With Darnold departing in free agency, Minnesota is handing the offense to McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in 2024. He started the team’s preseason op

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