J.J. McCarthy could’ve kept it to himself.
The Minnesota Vikings’ second-year quarterback, entering his first year as a starter, had a chance to hold in what he calls his “secret weapon.”
But asked about his mobility by reporters on Wednesday, McCarthy chose to be honest.
Here’s what he had to say, via ESPN:
“I almost wish you didn’t ask that because I want to keep that on the low. I think that’s a huge part of my game. It’s a weapon in this league. You kind of have to have it, with these edge rushers and the different pressure looks.”
MORE: Rams legend Aaron Donald hints at return from retirement to play with Micah Parsons
McCarthy dove between a couple of defenders for a rushing touchdown during practice on Monday night.
“There’s a time and place really for me when I put a shoulder down or when I slide,” McCarthy told ESPN. “And there’s a lot more times when I’ll be sliding. It’s just adapting with the game, adapting to when the rush lanes are happening, how contained they are. But it’s definitely a huge part of my game that I’ll definitely utilize.”
Coming off a knee injury that kept him out of his rookie season, McCarthy wouldn’t have shocked anyone if he was passive about moving around too much.
It sounds like that won’t be an issue, though.
MORE: Dak Prescott had an NSFW reaction to Micah Parsons’ trade request
He was a decent runner at Michigan.
As a sophomore, he had 306 yards on the ground with five TDs, and then it was 202 yards and three TDs as a junior (keeping in mind that collegiate sacks count as negative rushing yards).
McCarthy was the 10th overall pick in 2024 but could only watch after his injury as Sam Darnold led a great Vikings season.
The pressure is now on McCarthy to try and match or exceed that.
If he’s indeed able to use his athleticism to its full potential, that’ll go a long way toward the Vikings reaching theirs.
MORE NFL NEWS: