The pads were on and the sun was blazing Monday as the Minnesota Vikings kicked off a new week of 2025 training camp. Fans flocked by the thousands into TCO Performance Center to catch a first look at the team in full gear and full speed.

Though he has spent countless hours watching film and studying the playbook so he can think the position at a high level, after missing all of last season while he recovered from a torn meniscus, McCarthy has also worked tirelessly on his mechanics so he can actually play the position at a high level.

His last meaningful time on the field was with the Michigan Wolverines in college. McCarthy led that team to a national championship win under the leadership of Jim Harbaugh. He's hoping to bring those winning ways with him to Minnesota.