How much have we learned from J.J. McCarthy's performance in camp?
There have been some instructive moments -- both good and bad -- but those things are only a small part of a process that is just beginning.
(Image courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)
The anticipation of the NFL season beginning makes us do silly things — and that includes the guy who runs this Substack page. I’ve attended Vikings’ practice for the past two-plus weeks, charting and taking notes on every pass J.J. McCarthy has thrown in 11-on-11 and seven-on-seven drills. This has been turned into a daily recap of McCarthy’s performance and also provided fodder for “Judd’s Camp Notes” on the “Purple Daily” podcast on SKOR North.
It’s a worthwhile endeavor considering how many Vikings fans are starved for updates on how the new starting quarterback is looking during practices at TCO Performance Center. Quarterbacks are always the center of attention, but McCarthy is drawing even more interest than usual.
There are a few reasons:
1) He’s the first quarterback drafted in the Top 10 in franchise history; 2) He’s replacing a quarterback, Sam Darnold, who led the Vikings to a no-one-saw-it-coming 14 victories last season; 3) He’s coming off a meniscus injury that ended his rookie season in the exhibition opener a year ago; and 4) He’s taking over a team that made significant offseason additions and is all-in for this season.
In other words, no pressure at all.
As McCarthy gets set to start the Vikings’ preseason opener on Saturday against Houston, let’s take a step back from the daily updates and attempt to answer this question: How has McCarthy looked through 12 practices, including six in pads, and what does it mean?
AN UP-AND-DOWN CAMP
McCarthy has had his good days and his shaky days.
This isn’t unusual for Vikings’ quarterbacks in training camp since Kevin O’Connell became coach in 2022. Kirk Cousins went through this in two training camps under O’Connell, and Sam Darnold had some rough moments last summer.
The difference was that Cousins was an established veteran when O’Connell took over, and Darnold was an assumed bust when he joined the Vikings. So what are some of the issues that Cousins, Darnold and McCarthy have faced?
The most important might be that defensive coordinator Brian Flores has no interest in doing what’s best for the offense. Flores is preparing his defense — he runs one of the NFL’s more complex schemes — for the season and that means doing anything but showing vanilla looks.
McCarthy has gone up against the first- and second-team defense all camp and the top defense often wins the down.
Still, I have McCarthy completing 72 percent of his passes in 11-on-11 and 67.3 percent in seven-on-seven. Those are numbers the Vikings gladly would take during the regular season.
Ultimately, having to play against Flores’ scheme should benefit McCarthy — something he has acknowledged. Don’t be surprised if McCarthy looks good in limited playing time against the Texans, given that defenses rarely show anything during preseason games.
NO JEFFERSON
All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson left practice on the second day of camp because of what O’Connell called a “very mild” left hamstring strain. He hasn’t taken part in any of the 10 practices since.
While it appears the Vikings are just being cautious with Jefferson, his absence takes away the biggest threat on offense. That has left McCarthy throwing to Jordan Addison, who has been suspended for the first three games of the regular season by the NFL, and Jalen Nailor.
McCarthy also has tight end T.J. Hockenson as well as running backs Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason as pass catching options. But no one comes close to being the type of threat that Jefferson possesses when he’s on the field.
The new-look offensive line also has had a few moving parts. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw has made impressive progress in his return from the torn left ACL and MCL he suffered in Week 8 last season, but he has been in and out of practice. Right guard Will Fries, whose 2024 season ended because of a broken tibia, did not take part in offseason practices and was held out of 11-on-11 and seven-on-seven work to open camp. He is now practicing on a full-time basis.
Center Ryan Kelly, who like Fries was signed as a free agent from the Indianapolis Colts in March, has been limited this week because of an elbow injury. The chemistry between McCarthy and Kelly is extremely important, but the Vikings also want to make sure Kelly is ready to go for the Monday night opener in Chicago.
ISN’T ANYTHING MCCARTHY’S FAULT?
McCarthy isn’t without blame as he adjusts to being the Vikings’ starter.