The 2024 NFL Draft has been a big win for the Minnesota Vikings as they landed the QB hunk, J.J. McCarthy. And guess what? The Vikings are giving J.J. McCarthy a stress-free welcome. There’s no pressure for the QB to take up the starting role. But why, though? According to the reports, Minnesota has a playbook handy for their $21.85 million pick, similar to what the Kansas City Chiefs had for Patrick Mahomes.

Now that the Vikings are about to put McCarthy through the Mahomes’ blender, will it change the QB’s decision not to leave Minnesota over the signing bonus dispute?

Vikings find faith in the Chiefs’ Mahomes blueprint for McCarthy

The Vikings have taken a chill pill as far as McCarthy taking up the starting role is concerned. As ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported, Minnesota HC Kevin O’Connell is putting it all on blast about the quarterback following an “open-ended” timetable to take over as the starter. They already have a Plan B since the program has signed Sam Darnold as a free agent in case McCarthy is still not ready to take the role. On July 20, the NFL Notifications dropped a truth bomb confirming that Minnesota is in an attempt to take up the formula that Kansas City Chiefs had for their star QB Mahomes, and McCarthy “will continue to remain the third-string QB and will re-evaluate in September.” 

When Mahomes was selected as the 10th overall by the Chiefs in the 2017 NFL Draft, he spent his rookie season as the backup to Alex Smith. It was only in 2018 he was named the starter after Smith was traded to the Washington Redskins. And we are all aware of how Mahomes evolved as an absolute groundbreaker, throwing 5,097 yards, 50 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Getting the soft treatment might act as a way to change McCarthy’s outlook toward the signing bonus dilemma.     

McCarthy’s demand is yet to be fulfilled

The Vikings might face a pushback from their rookie QB McCarthy if they fail to meet the player’s expectations. But isn’t it surprising to find out that the player for whom Minnesota went so far, trading up with the New York Jets, is getting this treatment in return? But what is the hoopla all about? As per the speculations, the 21-year-old QB is seeking his full signing bonus payment before signing his rookie contract. 

Only McCarthy has yet to sign his rookie contract among the six quarterbacks taken in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft. According to the reports on X, “JJ McCarthy plans to hold out if he doesn’t receive his full signing bonus payment upfront.” But it’s unlikely that the Vikings will afford to lose out on the quarterback. McCarthy had the highest winning percentage in FBS history, with an overall record of 22-1 as a starter, giving him a 0.957 winning percentage back at Michigan Wolverines. 

On top of that, the NFL legend Kris Jenkins dropped a big statement in praise of McCarthy,  “What separates him, not only that athleticism – you can do all these comparisons to the greats, like, he has that athleticism. Like Mike Vick, Pat Mahomes, the escapability, the accuracy, the strength. But really, what separates him is his character, is his drive, his leadership skills and his motivation.” Time to wait and see what magic Minnesota applies to keep McCarthy from wandering off!