The clock may already be ticking on second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, just five starts into his career with the Minnesota Vikings.
McCarthy and the Vikings entered this season with high hopes. Instead, they have been forced to navigate injuries and inconsistency, including to McCarthy, who missed Weeks 3 through 8 with an ankle injury.
Back healthy, the young passer’s performance has left much to be desired. Perhaps, too much.
J.J. McCarthy Receives Reality Check Amid Vikings’ Struggles
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on after facing the Detroit Lions.
McCarthy has completed 52.9% of his passes for 842 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, leading the Vikings to a 2-3 record. Since his return, McCarthy has a 541-4-5 line on 50.5% completion.
In Week 11 against the Chicago Bears, McCarthy threw for 150 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs on 50% completion.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes “there’s no hiding” that “the accuracy is a concern.”
“Balls are sailing, and that affects the entire offense,” Fowler wrote in an article published on November 19. “McCarthy needs to hit the layups. The Vikings will be working to help him find more consistency as a thrower. From a developmental standpoint, the team still believes in his work ethic and skill set.”
Fowler noted Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell’s makeup as a sign that they still have faith in him. He also noted that Carson Wentz’s season-ending injury and John Wolford and Max Brosmer’s inexperience leave them with little alternative.
Colleague Dan Graziano pointed to visible frustration from teammates on offense, specifically Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson slammed his helmet during the Bears game in what was a rare display.
“I think that’s a big part of the concern the Vikings have — keeping everything together around McCarthy as he endures the growing pains,” Graziano wrote in response to Fowler, noting there remains faith in McCarthy internally, but that his inaccuracy is concerning.
Graziano points to an anonymous scout’s take that McCarthy is throwing “all fastballs,” which harkens back to a previous issue, while “trying to be the hero.”
The irony in that is that the Vikings believed they had a roster to alleviate that sort of pressure.
“The general sense I get from inside the Vikings’ building and out is that he just needs time and reps. The problem is, … the plan was to compete this year while McCarthy ramped up, and his sluggish development is keeping them from doing so.”
Vikings Facing Reckoning With Roster
GettyMinnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell looks on against the Detroit Lions.
Both insiders reviewed the Vikings’ plans at quarterback leading into the season, when they had Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones, only for both to sign elsewhere. They could have had Aaron Rodgers, too.
However, the Vikings chose to maximize their flexibility around McCarthy, opting against bringing in serious veteran competition for him during the offseason program and training camp.
Fowler wrote that “Most NFL storylines pale in comparison” to the Vikings’ path.
“The Vikings lead the league with a $344.9 million payroll. But all of this is contingent on the young quarterback showing progress. Right now, Minnesota has the next seven games to cash in on that investment — or possibly pivot to a new plan.
Graziano agrees that the Vikings’ plan is the question, but that the upcoming schedule should ease up for the embattled McCarthy to “show improvement” during a playoff push.
If he does not show that requisite growth, though, Graziano believes moving on is an option.
“The Vikings’ quarterback plan next spring will tell us everything we need to know about where they really are with McCarthy, who, again, still has more than one-third of a season to show the team that it was right to put its faith in him,” Graziano wrote.
J.J. McCarthy’s QB Coach Claps Back at Vikings Legend
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings Looks on Against the Baltimore Ravens.
Underscoring the polarizing nature of the situation, Vikings legend Cris Carter sharply criticized McCarthy’s performance through three quarters against the Bears. He pointed that out to former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho, who was trying to frame the game in the inverse.
McCarthy’s personal quarterback coach, Greg Beachum, called Carter a “F’kn clown [clown emoji]” in a since-deleted post on X on November 18.
The Vikings need McCarthy to turn it around, and so does he.
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