Momentum has been building toward the Minnesota Vikings rolling with Sam Darnold over J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback for Week 1.
But apparently, McCarthy might not even win the backup job.
Andrew Krammer of Access Vikings says that there is a good chance that McCarthy begins 2024 as the third quarterback on Minnesota’s depth chart.
Of course, this isn’t necessarily terrible news for McCarthy. It doesn’t mean the Vikings are disappointed in what they have seen from him, nor is it a bad sign for his future.
It simply means that Minnesota is taking baby steps with the rookie and wants to ensure that the surrounding circumstances are ideal as possible before thrusting McCarthy into action.
J.J. McCarthy Is a Polarizing Figure
McCarthy was probably—and probably still is—the most polarizing figure in this year’s NFL Draft class.
There were six quarterbacks taken in the first round of the draft in late April, and McCarthy was the fifth one chosen behind Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and Michael Penix Jr.
The Vikings traded up one spot to No. 10 just to select McCarthy, so obviously, they liked him very much right from the jump.
Not everyone shared their enthusiasm, however.
While some lauded McCarthy’s intangibles coming out of the University of Michigan, others expressed serious concern over his physical limitations heading on to the NFL level.
There were even those who felt that McCarthy was not even a first-round talent.
McCarthy is coming off of a 2023 campaign in which he led Michigan to a national championship while throwing for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 72.4 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 202 yards and three scores.
The Wolverines were largely a run-heavy offense under Jim Harbaugh, so McCarthy did not have to do a whole lot. That has many wondering if the 21-year-old can handle an NFL offense.
Fortunately for McCarthy, he is stepping into a good situation in Minnesota. The Vikings boast arguably the best wide receiver in the league in Justin Jefferson, and a pretty good No. 2 in Jordan Addison right behind him. Plus, tight end T.J. Hockenson is due back from injury at some point in 2024.
But, J.J. McCarthy may not actually get the chance to throw to any of those pass-catchers in a meaningful game until 2025.
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