In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected quarterback J.J. McCarthy from the Michigan Wolverines with the 10th overall pick. The Vikings maneuvered to move up one position to secure McCarthy, who had been one of the most debated prospects in the draft. At just 21 years old, McCarthy had even been speculated to be chosen as high as the second pick by the Washington Commanders.
Last season, McCarthy led Michigan to a National Championship victory. Throughout the season, he played in 15 games, completing 72.3% of his passes for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. Additionally, he contributed 202 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 64 carries, averaging 3.2 yards per carry. Despite his impressive college statistics, some critics argue that McCarthy benefited from a highly supportive roster, including a strong running game, a solid offensive line, and a formidable defense, suggesting that the transition to the NFL will present new challenges for him.
Alec Lewis from The Athletic reported that, as of the first week of training camp, McCarthy has not yet taken any snaps with the first-team offense. During practice, he has primarily been working with receivers Jalen Nailor, Lucky Jackson, and Trishton Jackson. While McCarthy’s mechanics have shown improvement since the spring, he still faces challenges. For example, he has occasionally struggled with deep throws and maintaining consistency under pressure. Nevertheless, he has made some notable plays, such as connecting on a 50-yard pass to Trishton Jackson against the first-team defense. According to head coach Kevin O’Connell, the focus is on McCarthy’s progress rather than perfection at this stage.
McCarthy seems to be integrating well with his new teammates, showing camaraderie during practice by interacting with running back Aaron Jones and his son. Despite some minor setbacks, such as a drop by Lucky Jackson during a red zone drill, McCarthy has demonstrated a supportive attitude by encouraging his teammates.
As it stands, McCarthy is slated to be the backup quarterback, with Sam Darnold expected to start in Week 1 against the New York Giants. It remains to be seen when McCarthy might get opportunities with the first-team offense, but the team is taking a cautious approach to his development.
A lot of people were saying that he had a stacked roster at Michigan last season. He had a great running game behind him, a tremendous offensive line, and a solid defense. The NFL will be a whole different ball game for McCarthy in 2024 and beyond.
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