What a week for new Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Fresh off his first-ever career win, a 27-24 rally over the Bears on Monday night in Chicago, the former Michigan product and his fiancée, Katya Kuropas, have welcomed their first child together, a baby boy named Rome Micah, they announced early Friday evening.
“Welcome to the world Rome Micah McCarthy,” Kuropas wrote in the caption of an Instagram post. “The sweetest, most perfect gift from God!! We are so unbelievably blessed to be your parents.”
McCarthy wrote in the comments: “God is GREAT!” before adding “& so are you my love @katyakuropas.”
Reports trickled in Thursday afternoon that McCarthy, 22, was not at practice and at the hospital with Kuropas, whom he has dated since high school.
The couple revealed they were expecting in May — roughly a year after the Vikings selected McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
“The best surprises come when you least expect them. Our sweet baby boy is arriving in September and we couldn’t be happier,” Kuropas wrote on Instagram at the time.
McCarthy did not play his entire rookie season as he worked his way back from a knee injury.
Journeyman Sam Darnold resuscitated his career as the Vikings’ QB1, leading the team to a 14-3 regular season and playoff berth.
He signed with the Seahawks in free agency.
The keys this year were then handed to McCarthy, who overcame a rough start Monday to score three touchdowns in the second half of the Vikings’ Week 1 win.
“The look in his eye was fantastic,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “The best thing was just the belief I felt from the team, from the unit, and ultimately, that doesn’t get done without him in the second half.”
Kuropas celebrated McCarthy’s triumph on social media Tuesday.
“So proud of you,” she gushed in an Instagram Story. “Keep showin em’.”
The couple announced their engagement in January 2024.
The Vikings host the Falcons this week on “Sunday Night Football.”