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By Trevor Squire
Contributing Sports Writer
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has shown to be wise beyond his years -- but will that translate to the field?
Aaron Jones thinks so.
Appearing on "Up & Adams" with Kay Adams, Jones made a strong comparison, likening McCarthy, the youngest starting quarterback entering the 2025 season, to Aaron Rodgers for their kindred knowledge of the game.
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"He's just smart the way he studies the game it would be things like, I come in my rookie year and Aaron Rodgers would be like, 'Hey, the blitz is coming from here,' " Jones said on Aug. 20. " A-Rod would be able to do the, and he'd help me out so much my first two years in pass protection."
Adams was surprised by the comparison, given Rodgers was 33 years old when Jones entered the league and already had six Pro Bowls to his name.
"You're talking about J.J. McCarthy, who's never had real live action in the NFL, and you're comparing his IQ to Aaron, that is no small thing.
Read more: J.J. McCarthy Faces Brutally Honest Take After Vikings Camp
The way he goes about himself, the preparation... it all stems from up here," Jones said, pointing at his head. "And that drive, you can you can see it when you step on the field. And he's a winner."
During peak free agency in the spring, the Vikings had explored the idea of plugging Rodgers into a ready-to-win roster and deferring the McCarthy plan for another year.
Read more: Vikings Insider Sends Clear Message on Adam Thielen Trade Rumors
The Vikings ultimately decided they would turn to the 22-year-old quarterback to lead their team.
So, there was an opportunity when [Rodgers] and I connected, just to kinda talk about, 'Hey, what would that look like...' We had a lot of great dialogue about it," O'Connell said on KFXN-FM radio in June. "But it always centered around what was best not only for the present Minnesota Vikings organization but the future. I was very honest about my feelings towards J.J. My obligation that I felt like we were going to give him the best possible situation to begin and thrive on this NFL journey and let's see where it goes."
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