Jim Harbaugh on 'beloved son' J.J. McCarthy: 'Vikings fans are going to be really happy with J.J.'

The date of the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings in Inglewood, Calif., hasn’t been released yet, but when it’s played it will pit former Michigan Wolverines football head coach Jim Harbaugh against his former quarterback, J.J. McCarthy.

“God willing and the creek don’t rise, I’ll be there for that,” Harbaugh said on the ‘Rich Eisen Show.’

The No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, McCarthy missed his rookie season with a knee injury that required two surgeries. He said April 29 that he’s “100 percent” healthy, however, adding that he “knows” he’s ready to be the team’s starter. Sam Darnold started for the Vikings last season but signed with the Seattle Seahawks during free agency. Minnesota later traded with the Seahawks for Sam Howell, who’s slated to compete with and back up McCarthy this year.

Harbaugh, meanwhile, is entering his second season as the Chargers’ head coach, after spending nine years at Michigan, his alma mater, including leading the Maize and Blue to the 2023 national championship. McCarthy was his signal-caller for three seasons, including as the program won its 12th national title.

“A beloved son, J.J,” Harbaugh said. “That’s one, yeah, it’ll be nostalgic now, but I know once we gotta … I’m just envisioning playing. He’s a tremendous competitor. It’s great. You get a little nostalgic about it, and just so happy for each and every one of the guys. And now you’re talking about long and trusting friendships.”

Harbaugh believes Minnesota fans should be excited about McCarthy as their quarterback.

“Vikings fans are going to be really happy, as well, with J.J. McCarthy,” Harbaugh stated. 

“People get worried, [but] that’s the nature of the business. The predictions of what’s going to happen is for the palm readers. But for J.J. McCarthy, [former Michigan tight end and No. 10 overall pick to the Chicago Bears] Colston Loveland, all of us, this is about each day — attacking each day, see if we can’t make today better than yesterday, see if we can’t make tomorrow better than today and have at it.

“And then the games will come, and that’s the magic. Real time, real things happening, crowd right there. That’s the kinda stuff that we live for.”

Jim Harbaugh talks Michigan draft picks

Michigan tied its program record with three first-round picks, with defensive tackle Mason Graham being taken No. 5 to the Cleveland Browns, Loveland going No. 10 to the Chicago Bears and defensive tackle Kenneth Grant coming off the board at No. 13 to the Miami Dolphins.

Loveland and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren were considered the top two tight ends in the draft class, but Michigan’s man went first. Warren was chosen No. 14 by the Indianapolis Colts.

“I’m not gonna compare them,” Harbaugh said. “Tyler Warren’s a great player. Colston’s a great player. But they are gonna absolutely love Colston Loveland. 

“As much as I would’ve loved to have seen him on the Chargers, because there are 256 players drafted, we have nine picks — the odds are every single one of these guys is gonna be playing against us. But we got our nine, we love them. 

“I first met him in Gooding, Idaho, when I went there for a recruiting visit. Met at school and went to his grandparents’ house. He showed me around town.

“It’s just cool. I went from Michigan to the Chicago Bears right out of college. I know that Colston is gonna have that experience with that great organization. Chicago, the Bears — smart. That was a really, really smart pick.”

Graham, meanwhile, was drafted by the Browns after the organization traded back from No. 2 overall, acquiring not only the first defensive tackle in the draft but also some more capital. Grant was picked eight slots later by the Dolphins.

“Mason and Kenneth Grant are both gifts from the football gods,” the former Michigan coach said. “Mason is truly a three-down player. He can stop the run, and he’ll give pass rush on third down; he doesn’t have to come out. He’s exceptional.

“Kenneth Grant is like a beloved son. Those were two great picks by those two teams. Great players that are gonna be great pros, and they’re gonna have very long, good careers.”