After moving on from Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold in back-to-back years, the Minnesota Vikings are hoping to have something special in their new starting quarterback, J.J. McCarthy. All signs point towards that being a reality.

McCarthy has been working out with former Vikings wide receiver and current Carolina Panthers pass-catcher Adam Thielen this summer, and recently, KSTP’s Alec Ausmus spoke with Thielen to hear his thoughts on McCarthy’s play and why there is excitement to see him on the field for the first time in the regular season.

“He’s got all the things that it takes to be a successful player in this league, and the things that we’ve talked about, about how I’ve gotten to year 13, he’s already got it. He’s got consistency, he’s got that mindset, he’s got all the skills to be able to play at a high level.

I’m really excited, now in my second summer working with him, to see him get an opportunity and to see what he does with the opportunity, because I see it now on the field, just [with] his mindset and all the things that it takes to be a great quarterback in this league, and I’ve been around a lot of great ones.

He has everything you need, so I’m excited to see what happens.”

High compliments from Adam Thielen will only intensify expectations for Minnesota Vikings QB McCarthy

Thielen has had the opportunity to work with some solid quarterbacks during his time as a Viking, including Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Bradford, Case Keenum, and Cousins. For him to compliment McCarthy, he did, that’s got to be a positive for the fan base.

McCarthy has answered the call so far this offseason with the added pressure of Minnesota picking him over Darnold, Daniel Jones, and Aaron Rodgers. The feeling is different this season as there is no competition for McCarthy. This is his job. Even in press conferences, McCarthy has shown the confidence to say that the quarterback job is his.

Guys like Justin Jefferson have been talking McCarthy up as their chemistry grows on the field. McCarthy has the backing of the entire organization, from top to bottom.

Vikings fans got a glimpse of the potential future with McCarthy last year in the preseason when Minnesota faced the Las Vegas Raiders. He finished completing 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception.

With the training wheels off, it’s time for McCarthy to step up to the plate. High praise from his workout partner, Thielen, should help instill hope for the Vikings’ future under center.