**Jim Harbaugh Compares J.J. McCarthy to Justin Herbert: ‘They’re Cut from the Same Cloth’**
Los Angeles Chargers head coach **Jim Harbaugh** has coached some of the most talented quarterbacks in football, from **Andrew Luck** at Stanford to **J.J. McCarthy** at Michigan and now **Justin Herbert** with the Chargers. On Tuesday, Harbaugh drew a striking comparison between his two most recent star pupils, McCarthy and Herbert, during an interview with *NFL on NBC*.
*“He’s so much like Justin Herbert in the energy they bring, the tone-setters,”* Harbaugh said of McCarthy. *“J.J.’s a tone-setter, brings the energy, great talent, and every fiber of his being is about helping his team. Justin is a perfectionist as well—him and J.J. are a lot the same in that way. They want to be good, they want to be great, and it’s not in a self-promotion way. They want to be great for their teammates.”*
Harbaugh, who has long been a vocal supporter of McCarthy, repeatedly called him the best quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft. He believes McCarthy landed in the perfect spot when the Minnesota Vikings selected him 10th overall.
*“J.J. has attacked his rehab this entire last six, seven months, and I can guarantee Vikings fans that he is up and at it today, attacking the day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind,”* Harbaugh said, using one of his signature phrases. *“I love him. I’m not gonna love playing against him—we play the Vikings this year. There’s gonna be a part of me, though…”*
McCarthy, who is recovering from a meniscus injury that sidelined him for his rookie season, is reportedly making strong progress and could compete for the Vikings’ starting quarterback job this year, depending on how **Sam Darnold** performs. If McCarthy wins the job, he’ll face off against Harbaugh and the Chargers during the regular season—a matchup Harbaugh admits will be bittersweet.
With his relentless work ethic, natural leadership, and intangible qualities, McCarthy has drawn comparisons to Herbert, the 2020 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowler who finished eighth in MVP voting last season. Vikings fans are hopeful that McCarthy can bring the same level of excellence to Minnesota as he continues his recovery and prepares for a potential breakout year.
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