The Minnesota Vikings will be relying on JJ McCarthy to get the team over the first-round playoff-hump that has dogged head coach, Kevin O’Connell, in two of his three seasons in charge of the organization.
But, in another parallel world, according to reports, he could have ended up with one of the Vikings’ chief rivals – divisional foes, the Chicago Bears.
According to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, the Bears nearly drafted McCarthy with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, where they instead took USC QB, Caleb Williams.
Speaking to quarterback coach, Greg Holcomb, Lewis reveals that Chicago’s general manager, Ryan Poles, who recently signed a multi-year extension with the franchise, spoke to Holcomb and talked about how much he liked the now-Vikings signal caller.
“Still sipping a hot coffee at Starbucks,” Lewis wrote on Monday, “Holcomb recalls another moment from the offseason. He was hosting a quarterbacks camp for middle-school-aged boys, and one of the attendees was Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles. During a changeover at the camp, Holcomb approached Poles and introduced himself. They found their way to the subject of McCarthy.
“He was talking about how much they (the Bears) loved J.J.,” Holcomb said. “And said to me, ‘I don’t think people realize how close we were to possibly taking him.’ Obviously, they love (No. 1 pick) Caleb (Williams), but I thought that was interesting.”
How Close Were The Bears To Selecting JJ McCarthy?
According to Poles, closer than people think. However, given that, at the time, nobody thought for a second McCarthy might go first overall ahead of Williams and LSU quarterback, Jayden Daniels, this does not necessarily say much.
Indeed, as Ryan O’Leary of The Sporting News points out, Poles and co. did not even meet with the former National Champion ahead of the 2024 draft.
“Prior to the 2024 NFL Draft,” O’Leary wrote on July 14, “the Chicago Bears didn’t even bother meeting with star Michigan quarterback prospect J.J. McCarthy. They were all in on Caleb Williams from the jump, and later handed him the keys to their franchise as the No. 1 overall pick.”
That certainly does not rule out the fact that the Bears’ brass was keen on McCarthy as a player, but perhaps seeing him as having been “close” to becoming the #1 pick last offseason is an over-reach.
McCarthy and Williams Headline Young QB Battle In NFC North
With Williams’ promising rookie season, it is unlikely that Poles has any buyers remorse, particularly given some of McCarthy’s struggles in OTAs earlier this year.
But that does not seal the fate of these two franchises’ quarterbacks, who both have an opportunity to stake a claim on the future of the NFC North this upcoming season.
McCarthy, on his end, will have memories of the lofty 14-3 season Minnesota managed with Sam Darnold in 2024 on his mind, although there will surely be an adjustment period for the former Michigan man.
Between them and the Packers‘ Jordan Love and ex NFC Champion, Jared Goff, the NFC North is set to be one of the most exciting and intriguing divisions in football heading into September.
