J.J. McCarthy Had Drastic Weight Loss Before Making His NFL Debut for the Minnesota Vikings

The QB is sidelined with another injury after couple of weeks into the New NFL Season!

September 27, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on September 18, 2026

Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy faced a significant challenge in his first year with the NFL team after getting drafted in the 2026 first round of the NFL Draft.

He tore a meniscus in his right knee and was sidelined during the offseason on August 10, 2026, forcing the Vikings to place him on the Injured Reserve list for the season.

This injury was even worse for him as it not only limited his accessibility, but also affected his fitness.

This led to noticeable weight loss, and fans worldwide were concerned. The weight dropped below 190 pounds, which was below the range expected for an NFL player, for someone who is 6’3″. Also, his listed weight in the NFL draft was 218 pounds.

The drastic weight loss was not just a concern for fans, but also a potential risk for someone playing the Quarterback position, which requires durability, balance, and strength while maintaining pocket presence.

McCarthy Is Back To His Normal Weight

Despite the setback, McCarthy was carefully assessed by the Vikings’ staff, who helped him with injury recovery as well as weight gain.

The 22-year-old shifted his focus to rehabilitation and nutrition, working to rebuild his strength from his Wolverines days while playing for the University of Michigan.

After a couple of months, his weight began to return to normal slowly. He reportedly weighed over 200 pounds by February 2026, and by April, he had returned to his standard weight of around 215 pounds.

At the April 2026 press conference, McCarthy responded to a question about his recovery journey.

“I’m somebody that needs to workout in order to put on weight. So I’m back up to 215, exactly where I want to be …Feel like I’m in a really comfortable spot and just kind of maintaining from here.”

J.J. McCarthy is now back as the Minnesota Vikings’ starting Quarterback for the 2026 season after Sam Darnold’s departure to the Seattle Seahawks.

After being sidelined for a whole season, he is shifting his “Rookie Year” tag to the 2026 season. Though he has started pretty well for the Vikings, he suffered another injury in their defeat to the Atlanta Falcons.

He will be sidelined for three to four weeks, and the Vikings already have a new Quarterback in Desmond Riddler, after he was released from the Cincinnati Bengals in August 2026, making him a free agent.

In Case You Didn’t Know

  • J.J. has won the College Football Playoff National Championship, three Big Ten Championships, and a Rose Bowl.
  • McCarthy is engaged to Katya Kuropas. They started dating in high School at Nazereth Academy and also have a kid together: Rome Micah McCarthy, who was born in September 2026.
  • He is also a Heisman Trophy Finalist and the Fastest QB to reach 25 career wins (in 26 matches) in Michigan history.

  • Check other Articles on

Anish Koirala has loved sports since he was a kid. He grew up playing basketball and soccer, and that passion stayed with him over the years. Today, Anish works as a writer and editor, sharing his knowledge and love for the game through articles and stories. He uses his playing experience to make his writing clear, thoughtful, and fun to read.

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