Jim Harbaugh reacts to J.J. McCarthy’s season-ending injury

J.J. McCarthy’s Road to NFL Success Far from Over Despite Injury Setback…

J.J. McCarthy’s rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings may have ended before it even began due to a full meniscus repair surgery earlier this week, but his long-term success is far from out of the question. One of McCarthy’s biggest supporters, his former head coach at Michigan, Jim Harbaugh, remains confident in the 21-year-old quarterback’s ability to overcome this hurdle.

“I know how the story’s gonna end with J.J. I’ve been to this movie with him, nothing can keep him down. It’s not gonna be life-altering. Bump in the road,” said Harbaugh, who now coaches the Los Angeles Chargers. Harbaugh’s unwavering belief in McCarthy stems from their successful time together at Michigan, where the coach recruited McCarthy as a five-star high school prospect in the class of 2021.

During their time at Michigan, McCarthy quickly made his mark, playing in 11 games as a true freshman and guiding the Wolverines to three consecutive Big Ten titles from 2021 to 2023—an achievement that eluded the program since 2004. Their journey together peaked last season when McCarthy led Michigan to its first national championship since 1997.

While McCarthy will have to wait until 2025 to make his NFL regular-season debut, Harbaugh’s words serve as a reminder that this injury is just a small chapter in what could be a long and successful career. For now, the Vikings and their fans will have to be patient, but with Harbaugh’s confidence, there’s reason to believe that McCarthy’s best days are still ahead.