JJ McCarthy is entering his third year with the Minnesota Vikings this season. But before any of that, let's go back and discuss how McCarthy fought his way through depression in 2020.

The 23-year-old has a routine before his pads come on. He sits down to meditate for 10 minutes, a habit he has had since his senior year in high school.

"How I got into meditation, I was battling depression," McCarthy said two years ago. "I wasn't fortunate enough to have the self-courage to talk to somebody about it, so I just went straight to finding better ways to improve my mental health."

At IMG Academy's boarding school in Florida, McCarthy was isolated, away from home, and going through something he had never dealt with before.

"I was in a deep rut for myself, studying all the athletes, their mindsets, trying to adopt them in every way to forge the ultimate mindset as a competitor," McCarthy said back then. "I was like, something has to change. This isn't who I am."

That moment became the turning point. He went looking for ways to feel like himself again, and meditation was the first thing he found.

"I would say the difference between before and after I meditate is a sense of centering my being," McCarthy said. "I'm not thinking about the next day. I'm not thinking about the interception I threw in practice. I'm just completely here and now."

That being said, as a fresh season begins, McCarthy has to make sure he wins the starting job against newly acquired Kyler Murray.

McCarthy Is Fighting for His Starting Job Heading Into 2026

JJ McCarthy did not play in his rookie year. And in his second year with the team, he just completed 57.6% of his passes with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

The Vikings brought in Kyler Murray this offseason, and the two are now in a real competition for the starting job. Nothing is guaranteed for McCarthy right now.

"Those reps being distributed are something out of my control," McCarthy said. "The only thing I focus on is that next rep and keeping it as simple as that."

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell still believes in him as a long-term option, but admitted things look different than they did when Minnesota drafted him. The 2026 season is a big one for McCarthy either way.

Can J.J. McCarthy bounce back from his rocky seasons? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore