Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy better not quit his day job—as a backup in the NFL. The rookie’s first-pitch offering at Tuesday night’s Twins game went viral after the baseball landed nowhere near the catcher.
J.J. McCarthy had accuracy issues at Minnesota Vikings OTAs
McCarthy’s draft stock went up after he led Michigan to a National Championship in January. However, the No. 10 pick’s transition to the NFL hasn’t been smooth. As previously discussed on GH, accuracy has been an issue for McCarthy at practice this spring:
Per Seifert, McCarthy talked more about how he’s trying to learn the NFL than he is trying to surpass Darnold for the starting job. Seifert notes again that McCarthy is dealing with accuracy issues during practice:
Close observers have noticed some strong throws, including a dart last week to receiver Trent Sherfield on the final day of mandatory minicamp, as well as some that bounced in front of receivers or sailed over their heads.
That report by Seifert wasn’t the only practice McCarthy had trouble with accuracy. At an earlier practice in OTAs, he missed three passes in a row during a red zone drill.
Minnesota Vikings rookie QB goes viral for a bad pitch
McCarthy’s accuracy issues have not been resolved since mandatory minicamp ended. Per a video posted by Declan Goff of his first pitch attempt, McCarthy sent the baseball well left of his intended target.
JJ McCarthy’s first pitch was….. not great. #SKOL pic.twitter.com/nKi0yXTrHY
— Declan Goff (@DexsTweets) June 18, 2024
(That kind of effort would only be acceptable on the White Sox.)
Fellow Vikings rookie Dallas Turner didn’t throw an accurate pitch on his attempt. But that’s not as big of a deal for the defensive end.
Dallas Turner has a CANNON ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/oCMbCcqVkm
— Dom Cintorino (@domcinto_11) June 19, 2024
NFL fans’ react to J.J. McCarthy’s pitch
Fans heckled McCarthy on social media after the pitch. Here are the best takes of McCarthy showing more accuracy problems this offseason.
50 Cent plays qb for the Vikings.
— Dan (@Jollygreenmannn) June 19, 2024
And I’m supposed to think this guy is gonna save the Vikings💀
— joe (@BurdenBurner) June 19, 2024
Dude is gonna get so many people fired 😂
— Gumbo (@gumbo_pod) June 19, 2024
he actually won’t be throwing baseballs professionally, hope this helps.
— dosnetlive (@dotonthemn) June 19, 2024
Are we cooked?
— SkolHub (@McCarthyToJJets) June 19, 2024
Accuracy yikes
— Rippe🎯 (@MichaelRippe) June 19, 2024
Sam Darnold QB1
— Moe Moton (@MoeMoton) June 19, 2024
In his defense, he’s not used to throwing the ball
— MATTHIAS (@gusmalzhen) June 19, 2024
Vikings really traded up for this guy
— Johnny (@H_Johnny18) June 19, 2024
Handoff merchant confirmed LMAOOOO
— ⛧albert⛧ (@ftpberto) June 19, 2024
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