J.J. McCarthy hadn't spoken to local reporters since last fall.
That's how it goes after a season-ending injury before playing a regular season snap for the Minnesota Vikings.
McCarthy, drafted No. 10 overall in 2024, got back with the media on Tuesday. And he had plenty to say.
This offseason was filled with rumors about the Vikings possibly signing Aaron Rodgers and whether McCarthy was ready after his knee injury.
"I know I'm ready to start," McCarthy said, "because of all the work I've put in and just the confidence in my skills and abilities and just being able to do my job. And to simplify things to the best of my ability every single day. And just to take it one day at a time, one play at a time. And I have a tremendous coaching staff, a tremendous group of guys around me that I can lean on and they can lean on me."
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