 against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/J.J.-McCarthy.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=642,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/J.J.-McCarthy.jpg”><figcaption> Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.</figcaption></figure>
<p>The Minnesota Vikings no longer employ safety Camryn Bynum, but he’s still high on quarterback J.J. McCarthy.</p>
<h2>Vikings QB Is a Football “Maniac”</h2>
<p>Bynum, in fact, joined forces with ex-Vikings quarterback <a href=)
Daniel Jones, as both men became Indianapolis Colts last week. The two will get a fresh start in the AFC South.
 takes a moment to watch TCU celebrate after Michigan lost, 51-45 at the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 31 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. © Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/USATSI_19707311.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=784,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/USATSI_19707311.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/USATSI_19707311.jpg” alt=”Vikings QB” ><figcaption>Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) takes a moment to watch TCU celebrate after Michigan lost, 51-45 at the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 31 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. © Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>But as Bynum left the organization, he made sure to compliment McCarthy, the man on deck for the QB1 job for Minnesota in 2025.</p>
<h2>Camryn Bynum’s Comments</h2>
<p><a href=)
Speaking with Good Morning Football this week, Bynum didn’t hold back on McCarthy. “I trust him. J.J.’s somebody that I trust. Just a leader, first and foremost. The way that he carried himself as a leader but also still following the right way and still listening and humbling himself to learn from the other guys,” he said.
“But the one thing that stood out to me from him, as soon as he got in, he was throwing that ball. He was a gunslinger in practice. First and 10, simple concepts, he’s throwing the deep ball, he’s trying to fire it downfield. That’s something that I respected out of a rookie.”
 celebrates his fumble recovery against Green Bay Packers in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Camryn-Bynum-1.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=628,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Camryn-Bynum-1.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Camryn-Bynum-1.jpg” alt><figcaption> Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>He also called McCarthy a “maniac,” which, in football preparation-speak, is praise.</p>
<p>“Going forward after his injury, he’s sitting there in the defensive team meeting room trying to learn our defense and trying to learn any way he can. He’s kind of a maniac when it comes to football,” Bynum added.</p>
<p>“The way that he carried himself while he was hurt, I can only imagine how he’ll carry himself when he’s healthy. When they give him the keys to the program to be able to go and just carry himself as that leader, and they let him know ‘you’re the guy, we’re rolling with you,’ I think J.J.’s going to grow. And like I say, J.J.’s somebody I can trust.”</p>
<p>There’s still a long way to go for McCarthy to realize his upside, but Bynum’s comments can only be interpreted positively.</p>
<h2>Aaron Rodgers No Longer Applicable</h2>
<p><em>NFL </em><span><em>Network</em>‘s</span> <a href=)
Tom Pelissero posted to X on Wednesday morning, “The Vikings have rejected multiple trade calls on J.J. McCarthy, telling other teams they’re moving forward with him as their quarterback, sources say. The team plans to add a veteran. But they’re not pursuing Aaron Rodgers at this time. McCarthy now enters the offseason as QB1.”
“The Vikings continue to explore multiple options for a veteran QB addition, whether through free agency or a trade. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers’ options are now focused on the Steelers and Giants.”
That tweet all but ended Rodgers-to-Vikings offseason theories, which were the only thing separating McCarthy from his claim to QB1.
The McCarthy era in Minneapolis is here.
McCarthy’s Meniscus Recovery
McCarthy became a Viking last April from Round 1 of the draft, chosen by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah with the 10th overall pick. He tore his meniscus four months later, ending his maiden voyage season and paving the way for Sam Darnold to grab the QB1 job. Minnesota later finished the 2024 campaign with a 14-3 record sans McCarthy.
Some questioned his recovery in recent months, concerned that McCarthy had “lost too much weight” or that an extra injection in his knee was a major second surgery. But recently, Minnesota has only provided chipper updates about McCarthy’s return, brushing aside illegitimate weight fears.
 drops back against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/jjmpre.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=704,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/jjmpre.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/jjmpre.jpg” alt><figcaption> Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>In fact, McCarthy has reportedly been adding weight — a no-brainer for most athletes while recovering from a knee injury.</p>
<p>Most fodder involving McCarthy this offseason has been conjured out of fear or Vikings fans’ familiarity with <em>always </em>having a veteran quarterback and never ripping off the Band-Aid with a 1st-Round youngster.</p>
<h2>3 QBs Left the Vikings</h2>
<p>Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, and Daniel Jones left last week for the Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Indianapolis Colts, respectively.</p>
<p>They’re not coming back.</p>
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
