Patriots

‘Would be a tremendous honor’: What J.J. McCarthy said of possibly following in Tom Brady’s footsteps with Patriots, meeting Robert Kraft

“I’m always about playing for the guys that came before and the guys who built the foundation to where it is right now.”

By Faith Pinnow

April 23, 2024

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Twenty-four years ago, late in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected a quarterback out of Michigan who would change the future of the franchise forever. 

Now, in an attempt to usher in a new era in Foxborough, the team could take a page out of their old playbook and draft another Michigan signal-caller with the third overall pick. 

Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy could possibly follow Tom Brady’s footsteps as the quarterback could be the Patriots’ first-round selection. If so, McCarthy believes it would be the ultimate privilege. 

“I’m always about playing for the guys that came before and the guys who built the foundation to where it is right now,” McCarthy told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on “The Adam Schefter Podcast.” “Obviously, being a part of the New England Patriots, that means everything.”

McCarthy said he and Brady communicated regularly throughout his college career, developing a “great relationship.” Coming off a national championship, McCarthy wants his leadership style to reflect that of the Patriots legend — one who balances winning with a team-first mentality.

“Going back to when Brady was playing and how he was doing it for Tedy Bruschi, Willie McGinest, Ty Law, and all those guys. Being able to pay that forward would be a tremendous honor,” McCarthy said.

The 21-year-old got a taste of what it would be like to play at Foxborough after the Patriots hosted him on an official top-30 visit on April 15. New England’s top brass was on hand to greet McCarthy, with owner Robert Kraft even making an appearance. 

McCarthy described Kraft as “the coolest, smoothest guy I’ve met in a long time,” adding that he knows the franchise is in “good hands” with the Krafts in charge of the organization. 

“Obviously, Coach [Jerod] Mayo’s been a part of that success over the years,” McCarthy said. “And what he’s building is a feeling that I got when I first stepped onto Michigan — a sense of urgency to rebuild the culture, rebuild this team to where they want to get to and where they were.”

McCarthy’s affinity for the Patriots is mutual, according to multiple reports. The Michigan quarter has “fans” among New England staffers, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer recently reported.

If the Patriots select McCarthy, it could be a part of a trade-down scenario. The Boston Globe‘s Ben Volin had the Patriots selecting McCarthy with the No. 11 pick following a trade down with the Vikings in his mock draft.

“The Patriots get the ‘bag’ that Jerod Mayo said he was looking for with the No. 3 pick, then draft their new franchise quarterback,” Volin wrote. “He comes with questions about his size and playmaking ability, but the Patriots just can’t say no to a championship-winning quarterback from Michigan.”

McCarthy will likely find out his NFL home on Thursday, when the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft takes place.