Last week, coach Kevin O'Connell offered his latest praise of McCarthy's commitment to the “invisible habits” of completing his rehab and soaking up as much as he can from a strategic standpoint. After slimming down to below 190 pounds before he ramped up his weight-room work, McCarthy is back to his ideal weight of about 215 pounds.

"I know I'm ready to start. All the work I put in and the confidence in my skills and abilities, being able to do my job and simplify things. Take it one day at a time, one play at a time," McCarthy said, via Fox9 in Minnesota. "I have a tremendous coaching staff, a tremendous group of guys around me that I can lean on, and they can lean on me."

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, speaking Tuesday to local reporters for the first time since last fall, appears as confident in himself as the team is in him.