What happened: He said McCarthy's story in Minnesota is “just beginning,” despite the quarterback moving into a backup role for Week 1 of 2026. The endorsement came one day after the Vikings settled their opening-week depth chart.

Why it matters: The assignment shifts McCarthy's immediate path toward development while leaving Minnesota's long-term quarterback question open. The first-round investment keeps his progress consequential beyond the opener.

What to watch: Watch whether McCarthy remains Minnesota's No. 2 throughout the preseason and how his practice workload changes.