Jim Harbaugh says Vikings ‘got a great player’ in J.J. McCarthy

The first round of the NFL draft played out exactly like Michigan football quarterback J.J. McCarthy wanted, at least according to Jim Harbaugh.

Harbaugh spoke about watching where McCarthy ended up in the draft and said Minnesota was where he wanted to go. The former Michigan football coach also said he loved McCarthy “like a son” and that the Vikings got themselves “a great player.”

Here’s the full quote from Jim Harbaugh on Michigan football quarterback J.J. McCarthy going to the Minnesota Vikings 10th overall:

Harbaugh on Michigan football QB J.J. McCarthy to Minnesota Vikings

Jim Harbaugh on JJ's draft selection:

“I watched, I stayed and watched it. I’m thrilled that, you know, I’ve been talking to…having conversations with JJ. That’s where he wanted to go. That’s where he had his heart set. I’m just so happy for him, I love him like a son. I was… pic.twitter.com/G0xizGAGz5

— The Winged Helmet (@TWH_Chris) April 26, 2024

“I watched, I stayed and watched it. I’m thrilled that, you know, I’ve been talking to…having conversations with JJ. That’s where he wanted to go. That’s where he had his heart set. I’m just so happy for him, I love him like a son. I was praying and pulling for it to work out the way he wanted it to work out, and the stars aligned. Congratulations to Minnesota, they got themselves a great player.”

Harbaugh said McCarthy had his “heart set” on Minnesota and it’s easy to see why. The Vikings aren’t rebuilding like some of the other franchises. They just needed a quarterback. There are other needs but the glaring one was the lack of a franchise quarterback.

For decades, the Vikings have gone with veteran quarterbacks and haven’t been able to develop a long-term franchise quarterback since, well, Frank Tarkenton. That will change with the Michigan football legend who is going to make the Vikings a force in the NFC North for the next decade.

That’s probably why he wanted to go there. I’m glad he got his wish and just know the Michigan football quarterback is going to kill it. He might even be Rookie of the Year.

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