JJ McCarthy ’s ‘ real’ rookie debut was a year late thanks to that meniscus injury, but it was worth the wait. The QB lit up the Bears, going 13-of-20 for 143 yards and two TDs in his first real start. That’s the kind of glimpse that makes Vikings say, ‘ Yeah, this is why we paid him .’

For JJ McCarthy, the former No. 10 pick, the setup in Minnesota feels almost perfect. Instead of pouring big money into Sam Darnold, the Vikings poured those resources into the defense and offensive line, building a stronger team around their young quarterback. Now, it’s on McCarthy to take advantage of that support, and if he does, a massive contract extension could be waiting for him the moment he’s eligible. But what does life actually look like for this QB who landed his heavy money bag?

What

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