The Minnesota Vikings have been systematic in their approach. Plans to deal with the quarterback position began last offseason and came together this offseason. They resulted in the choice of J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick.
McCarthy left the college ranks with an almost perfect 27-1 record in his final two seasons, achieving a National Championship to end his career at Michigan.
The Vikings intend to bring McCarthy along gradually, with Sam Darnold in place in the meantime.
However, one former executive believes the different path is the best way forward for McCarthy and the Vikings.
“I want to say this about all these rookies, but particularly J.J. McCarthy there,” NFL Network’s Marc Ross stated on “Total Access” on May 6. “They traded up to get him. You trade up to get the guy, that means you want him. And the thing with J.J. is what? He has to play, he has to throw, right?
“So [as] Head Coach Kevin O’Connell, ‘J.J., you gotta get in there and play. You’re not gonna get any better by sitting on the bench with me not throwing. We gotta get you in the game. All you have to do is beat out Sam Darnold. Get in there, let’s see what you can do, develop that skill set. In order to get better at something, you have to practice doing it. So J.J.’s gotta start Week 1, airing it out … to remove all doubt, hopefully, for the Minnesota Vikings and say, ‘Yes, I can do it.’”
They said J.J. McCarthy struggled throwing to the left…
That's funny, because here's J.J. McCarthy throwing an icepick 25 yards on a frozen rope to beat the sinking CB who tries to undercut the throw for an INT
The Iceman Cometh…#Vikings #Skol pic.twitter.com/nQq7JLza0z
— Jordan Silveira (@JordanTSilveira) May 3, 2024
Ross was with the New York Giants for 11 years including as the Vice President of Player Evaluation and during both Super Bowl runs in 2007 and 2011.
He pointed to McCarthy’s few passing attempts in college.
Vikings Planning to Practice Patience With J.J. McCarthy
GettyJ.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings.
McCarthy’s 22.1 attempts per game were the fewest among the top quarterback prospects in his class. In contrast, the Vikings ranked eighth in passing attempts per game despite losing starter Kirk Cousins for the season in Week 8.
“We’re not going to hurry his development,” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said, according to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert on April 26. “We’re just going to do what’s best for the Vikings in the short and long term.”
Much of Adofo-Mensah’s confidence comes from his belief in O’Connell, who has admitted to shutting down previous potential quarterback options.
O’Connell has also been open about building that relationship with Adofo-Mensah.
“We discussed these things,” Adofo-Mensah said, according to Seifert. “A lot of times when we go back over history and say, ‘These quarterbacks have missed,’ there’s a lot of hands that are dirty in that regard. And we’re going to make sure that our hands are clean and give him the best opportunity he can to be the best player he can be in this offense.”
Sam Darnold in Limbo After 2024 Draft
GettySam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings.
Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million contract in free agency knowing it was possible if not likely that the Vikings would select a quarterback in the 2024 draft. His institutional knowledge of the O’Connell’s scheme coming from the San Francisco 49ers could give him an advantage.
However, Darnold also has a 21-35 record as a starting quarterback, completing 59.7% of his throws with 63 touchdowns and 56 interceptions in his career.
He may need to set himself apart in the competition during training camp instead of just holding on.
