JJ McCarthy shows same abilities, inconsistencies with Vikings

While quarterback JJ McCarthy was a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, there’s a reason he was the fifth quarterback off the board when he landed with the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 11 pick.

No one doubted McCarthy’s arm talent. He can throw fastballs with the best of them, and drills tight passes with ease. However, a huge setback to McCarthy’s game when he left Michigan was his inability to take off a bit, throw the change-up when necessary, and to lay throws over defenders on the second level and along the boundary. Especially when he threw the ball to the left.

The early signs through minicamp in Minnesota reflect more of the same for the inconsistent McCarthy. While his arm talent continues to emerge, the issues that plagued his tape at Michigan continue to plague him early in his career with the Vikings, according to Dane Mizutani of The Pioneer Press.

Starting with the fact that McCarthy has done well early in his transition to the NFL, Mizutani praised the Michigan man’s live arm:

“It is striking to see with your own eyes how great McCarthy’s pure talent is. He has already shown that he can fit throws into tight windows with relative ease.”

– Dan Mizutani of The Pioneer Press

However, Mizutani went on to detail the exact struggles McCarthy has faced with NFL Draft analysts and writers all season: the ability to throw the ball when called upon.

“The biggest problem for McCarthy is his lack of consistency in putting the ball to the boundary or pushing the ball downfield. That is not unexpected as he relearns his footwork under the tutelage of O’Connell and the new quarterback coach Josh McCown. Things will click for McCarthy at some point, and when they do, he has the qualities to be a very good player.”

– Dan Mizutani of The Pioneer Press

It would be an unrealistic expectation for McCarthy to completely overhaul his footwork and mechanical issues in just two months after being drafted by the Vikings. After all, that’s why they’re paying Sam Darnold $10 million this year and have already named him the starting quarterback.

He has two great mentors in head coach Kevin O’Connell and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown to work with as he looks to become the Vikings’ franchise quarterback. He has the weapon that is a deadly strong arm, but McCarthy needs to learn how to use it properly.

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