The Minnesota Vikings have high expectations for former Michigan QB JJ McCarthy since they drafted him with the No. 11 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft.
While it’s hard to come away with any firm grasp on how a rookie QB will play in the NFL based on his performance at OTAs, McCarthy didn’t exactly dazzle the Vikings coaching staff in his first official activities with the team.
According to The Athletic, his McCarthy missed some passes over the first two days. He grounded one to fullback C.J. Ham in the flat. He hummed a throw over the middle Wednesday that safety Theo Jackson lunged and tipped.
Thursday, though, McCarthy looked much better. He lasered one over the middle to tight end Robert Tonyan. He feathered a completion to receiver Trent Sherfield on the far right sideline. Tracking passes feels like a fruitless exercise right now — so many variables factor into these throws, and all a basic stat line does is falsely sway the narrative — but Thursday was easily the rookie’s most efficient day.
None of this should be surprising.
McCarthy is practicing new concepts and throwing to new receivers as he gets accustomed to the Minnesota Vikings playbook. He is using different footwork. Defenders are moving across his line of vision faster than he has ever experienced. Inconsistency should be the expectation. And the frustrated McCarthy clapped at himself after some throws. After good ones, he high-fived fellow quarterbacks Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall and patted the helmets of receivers.
Tonyan complimented McCarthy on Thursday for his affinity for “ripping it.” Other than that, the Vikings staffers and players remained mostly quiet about McCarthy’s performance. That isn’t surprising, either.
They want to take this slow, the Athletic reported. To help him develop confidence. To allow him to try throws, make mistakes and learn. Head coach Kevin O’Connell and his staff believe that’s the best path to long-term success, and everyone seems on board.
The Minnesota Vikings have opted to play the slow game with McCarthy — and at least as of now — it appears as if Sam Darnold has the edge to win the starting job when the 2024 season starts.
Darnold looked calm, confident and prepared for what is likely to be another starting opportunity, based on the report from The Athletic.
Thursday, he surveyed receivers in a seven-on-seven rep, then placed the ball perfectly in stride toward second-year receiver Jordan Addison. Once Addison caught the ball and turned upfield, multiple teammates who had been watching from behind Darnold yelled, “Thatta boy, Sam!”
Darnold’s consistency stood out for three days. He connected with Jefferson on a couple of over routes Wednesday, dropping the ball into hard-to-see windows. He anticipated cuts and displayed touch.
“I know firsthand how much arm talent he has,” said defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (Stanford), who played against Darnold (USC) in college. “This is the best team he’s been on. This is the best system for him. He’s hopefully going to find the ceiling of his play this season for us.”
Minnesota Vikings QB JJ McCarthy Studies Playbook With His Girlfriend On A Nightly Basis
McCarthy left Michigan as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in program history. .
He finished his career with a 27-1 record as a starter at Michigan, the best winning percentage (96.4) by any college quarterback since Toledo’s Chuck Ealey (1971) and Oklahoma’s Jimmy Harris (1956) ended their careers with 35-0 and 25-0 records, respectively.
The new Minnesota Vikings QB is the Michigan program leader in interception rate (1.54), completion percentage (67.6), pass efficiency (160.5), and touchdown-to-interception ratio (min. 20 TD passes; 4.5:1)
He single-season program records for interception rate (1.20) and completion percentage (72.3) in 2023, finishing second in pass efficiency (167.4) and touchdown passes (22).
It’s clear McCarthy’s preparation paid off in a major way during his collegiate career, so it’s no surprise he’s taking his NFL mastery to the next level.
Multiple reports emerged earlier this week that said McCarthy studies the Vikings playbook on a nightly basis with his girlfriend, Katya Kuropas. That’s next level dedication and it sounds like JJ has found a keeper who is dedicated to him thriving in the NFL as much as he is.
The Minnesota Vikings rookie is doing everything he can to be ready for when his number is called, whether that’s sometime this season or in 2025.
