Sep 16, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws against the Bowling Green Falcons in the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
J.J. McCarthy, 21, has a shot at playing in the NFL for fifteen years if all goes well. Youth is on his side and he’s been drafted to a franchise that is starved for the kind of passer who can lead them to the playoffs on a yearly basis.
The Vikings’ optimism is high, but there’s a lot of work ahead.
Indeed, we’re in the early days of McCarthy’s NFL career. In fact, he has yet to even sign his first ever contract and hasn’t even thrown a preseason pass. So, to be sure, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. The positive thing is simply that the Vikings’ kid QB has a fastball. Notably, the people praising his velocity are ones who are in the league and not just outside observers.
The Vikings’ McCarthy Has a Strong Arm
Start with Dustin Baker’s piece over on Vikings Territory.
Baker’s piece includes the thoughts from tight end T.J. Hockenson, linebacker Blake Cashman, and receiver Adam Thielen, all respected NFL vets. “J.J. McCarthy,” Baker explains, “will eventually take the reins of the QB1 job;” apparently, “oodles of notable voices claim he’ll be prepared,” at least partly due to the velocity he places on his passes.
Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) celebrates his touchdown against the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Baker relays how Cashman claims McCarthy can “zip the ball” while also praising the “heat” and ability to throw the “long ball.” And then there’s Thielen’s proclamation about being able to “sling it.”
By no means are those opinions isolated.
Earlier in the offseason, tight end Robert Tonyan spent some time chatting with the Minnesota media. Keep in mind that Tonyan played a lot of his career with Aaron Rodgers, someone with tremendous arm talent. When asked about J.J. McCarthy, Tonyan offered this thought: “J.J. just rips it, it’s cool to see that out of a rookie.”
Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws a pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Receiver Jordan Addison offered a similar thought in his own time chatting with the media. Minnesota’s young passer is someone who has “a nice, tight spiral.” Not too long afterwards, Addison praised McCarthy’s anticipation.
What about the head coach? Does Kevin O’Connell, the QB turned HC, have an opinion on McCarthy’s arm?
O’Connell did note the “arm talent traits that J.J. has shown over his career.” The concern for O’Connell within that particular answer was about his new passer connecting his feet to his eyes and not McCarthy’s ability to throw the ball well.
Even earlier, Wes Phillips offered these thoughts on what makes the passer impressive: “You see the talent out here, you see the arm, you see the juice that he’s got when he lets go of the football. Again, it’s real early, OTA2, but we feel like he’s right where he needs to be right now.”
Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell speaks during a press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
At Michigan, J.J. McCarthy was more known as an accurate passer rather than as someone with a rocket launcher. In 2023, McCarthy completed 72.3% of his passes while piling up 2,991 yards. The year prior, he was lower, but still sitting on a pretty tidy 64.6% of his passes being completed.
Of course, accuracy and velocity aren’t unrelated. The quarterback who struggles to throw with velocity is one who is going to get intercepted a lot. And yet within that reality is the need for McCarthy to find some sort of balance where he can also throw with touch and be able to place the ball in spots where his receivers can pickup yards after the catch.
Currently, Sam Darnold is Minnesota’s starting quarterback. J.J. McCarthy would need to have a fantastic offseason to change that reality, but it’s still encouraging to see the widespread praise for his arm.
Editor’s Note: Information from Sports Reference CFB helped with this piece.
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.
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Publish date : 2024-07-19 09:15:00
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