QB J.J. McCarthy, MIN (4 Viewers)

[Hot Sauce Guy]

It is preseason…but JJ holders sleeping a little better after seeing the QB room play today.

gotta admit, I was a little nervous. I hedged with Darnold, but I made a sizable investment in JJM in a SF league.

Definitely breathing a little easier.

 

[MrSoup]

It’s like people don’t even entertain the idea that McCarthy could be better than Cousins.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Every dropback from J.J. McCarthy's Vikings preseason debut today

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Every dropback from J.J. McCarthy's Vikings preseason debut today

Just watched it again. I know it was against a vanilla defense without a ton of starters, but JJM passes the eye test.

Got throws off under pressure, good instincts to scramble for positive yards, the 3rd down conversion was a nice touch pass, nice dump to the RB, and the TD was pretty.

It’s hard to believe that
1. This is the dude so many writers have been trashing all summer, and
2. He’s as young as he is. Plays beyond his years & didn’t look anywhere near as raw as we’ve heard the constant drum beat about.

Maybe, and I know this is crazy, but maybe the Vikings know a little more about QBs than armchair sports writers. Crazy right?

Can’t wait to see this kid develop.

 

[sheerterror]

Every dropback from J.J. McCarthy's Vikings preseason debut today

Just watched it again. I know it was against a vanilla defense without a ton of starters, but JJM passes the eye test.

Got throws off under pressure, good instincts to scramble for positive yards, the 3rd down conversion was a nice touch pass, nice dump to the RB, and the TD was pretty.

It’s hard to believe that
1. This is the dude so many writers have been trashing all summer, and
2. He’s as young as he is. Plays beyond his years & didn’t look anywhere near as raw as we’ve heard the constant drum beat about.

Maybe, and I know this is crazy, but maybe the Vikings know a little more about QBs than armchair sports writers. Crazy right?

Can’t wait to see this kid develop.

I'm not spiking the ball by ANY MEANS, but some of the takes in here were downright laughable. People just listened to others then parroted the same BS about UM winning in spite of him like he was Greg McElroy, instead of analyzing what he can/does athletically, his age (and therefore ceiling) and flat out, his winning (he's now 64-3 since HS).

I have no idea how he's going to end up as a pro, but the lazy analysis that was applied to this guy definitely has me chuckling this morning.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Every dropback from J.J. McCarthy's Vikings preseason debut today

Just watched it again. I know it was against a vanilla defense without a ton of starters, but JJM passes the eye test.

Got throws off under pressure, good instincts to scramble for positive yards, the 3rd down conversion was a nice touch pass, nice dump to the RB, and the TD was pretty.

It’s hard to believe that
1. This is the dude so many writers have been trashing all summer, and
2. He’s as young as he is. Plays beyond his years & didn’t look anywhere near as raw as we’ve heard the constant drum beat about.

Maybe, and I know this is crazy, but maybe the Vikings know a little more about QBs than armchair sports writers. Crazy right?

Can’t wait to see this kid develop.

I'm not spiking the ball by ANY MEANS, but some of the takes in here were downright laughable. People just listened to others then parroted the same BS about UM winning in spite of him like he was Greg McElroy, instead of analyzing what he can/does athletically, his age (and therefore ceiling) and flat out, his winning (he's now 64-3 since HS).

I have no idea how he's going to end up as a pro, but the lazy analysis that was applied to this guy definitely has me chuckling this morning.

If you google JJM the top results before today were “Vikings embarrassing pick struggles to get 2nd team reps” and “rookie QB shaky play make Vikings trade up even worse” and other nonsensical takes.

There have been positive reports, but even those were well couched in concern for the things he did poorly or how far he had to go.

Then I see him last night and couldn’t believe they were talking about the same QB.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Incredible how quickly the narrative shifts.

Gonna be super interesting to see which of the 1st round QBs is ultimately successful this year in relation to where they were picked.

 

[Faust]

Vikings rookie first-round QB J.J. McCarthy to miss practice with knee soreness

 

[Deamon]

Now he needs surgery. This seems... ungood.

 

[Faust]

Adam Schefter

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy has a torn meniscus in his right knee, per HC Kevin O’Connell.

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[Terpman22]

Now he needs surgery. This seems... ungood.

Wow.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Adam Schefter

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy has a torn meniscus in his right knee, per HC Kevin O’Connell.

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Best case of a worst case scenario.

Thank JEEBUS I acquired Darnold as a hedge!

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

If it's a clean-up it's 3-6 weeks.

If it's a complete tear it's 4-6 months, making Darnold a very cheap late round upside investment in redraft.

 

[3 hour lunch]

He and Byron Buxton must have bumped into each other in the skyway. Why can’t we have nice things?

 

[BoltNlava]

Adam Schefter

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy has a torn meniscus in his right knee, per HC Kevin O’Connell.

x.com

x.com

Wonder if this was pre-contract or after camp?

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Adam Schefter

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy has a torn meniscus in his right knee, per HC Kevin O’Connell.

x.com

x.com

Wonder if this was pre-contract or after camp?

Reported soreness after the game action.

 

[MrSoup]

Bummer

 

[Deamon]

I have admittedly followed very little on the Vikings this offseason.

What does this mean to their key positional players? Is it a significant bump down for Jefferson/Addison/Jones? Or would their stats would have been better with an experienced Darnold this season?

 

[pinkstapler]

I have admittedly followed very little on the Vikings this offseason.

What does this mean to their key positional players? Is it a significant bump down for Jefferson/Addison/Jones? Or would their stats would have been better with an experienced Darnold this season?

My uneducated take; caps the ceiling a bit as Darnold is not known for his long ball, or even taking shots down field in general. But I think their floor is still safe. He's accurate and smart with the ball.

 

[Mitchie]

If it's a clean-up it's 3-6 weeks.

If it's a complete tear it's 4-6 months, making Darnold a very cheap late round upside investment in redraft.

if it's 4-6 months Darnold will no longer be very cheap. He'll be a starting QB w/ JJ, Addison and Hock (once he returns)

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

if it's 4-6 months Darnold will no longer be very cheap.

Good point.

Feel like I stole him for Howell + a 2026 pick. I think it was a 4th?

 

[dipandglide]

This might be a blessing in disguise. JM will sit for most of the year and will not have the fan base pressuring him to start due to the injury.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

This might be a blessing in disguise. JM will sit for most of the year and will not have the fan base pressuring him to start due to the injury.

He looked awfully good though. And if he’s out a year, that’s a lot of reps/experience to lose.

 

[dipandglide]

This might be a blessing in disguise. JM will sit for most of the year and will not have the fan base pressuring him to start due to the injury.

He looked awfully good though. And if he’s out a year, that’s a lot of reps/experience to lose.

Sure. I'm not saying he couldn't be successful in year one. I'm more of a fan of letting the young guys sit for a year, learn, and let the game slow down rather than throwing them straight into the fire.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

This might be a blessing in disguise. JM will sit for most of the year and will not have the fan base pressuring him to start due to the injury.

He looked awfully good though. And if he’s out a year, that’s a lot of reps/experience to lose.

Sure. I'm not saying he couldn't be successful in year one. I'm more of a fan of letting the young guys sit for a year, learn, and let the game slow down rather than throwing them straight into the fire.

Totally agree - but what I'm saying is, if he's out for 4-6 months after surgery, he's not going to be sitting & learning. He's going to be rehabbing his knee.

It's the practice reps he'll lose.

The game experience had he become the starter would have also been very valuable, but if 2024 is a lost season, he's basically coming into 2025 in the same mental position he's in right now.

 

[nittanylion]

They still have Mullens. Between Darnold and Mullens, and what I saw out of a fully healthy JJ at the end of last year, I'm not balking on JJ where i'm seeing him go, on average, in most of the National High Stakes Contests I'm participating in - that is, mid to late 1st.

The ability to separate is absolutely ridiculous.

I think 1.08 in a 12-Teamer is still just about right. Behind CMC, Lamb, Tyreek, Breece, Chase...somewhere in the mix with A-RSt.B, Bijan and AJBrown in the next group of 4, depending on preference...in front of Barkley and Taylor,

 

[travdogg]

They still have Mullens. Between Darnold and Mullens, and what I saw out of a fully healthy JJ at the end of last year, I'm not balking on JJ where i'm seeing him go, on average, in most of the National High Stakes Contests I'm participating in - that is, mid to late 1st.

The ability to separate is absolutely ridiculous.

I think 1.08 in a 12-Teamer is still just about right. Behind CMC, Lamb, Tyreek, Breece, Chase...somewhere in the mix with A-RSt.B, Bijan and AJBrown in the next group of 4, depending on preference...in front of Barkley and Taylor,

I'd feel a lot better about Mullens than Darnold if I were to have Jefferson. Darnold is probably (but maybe not) better for the team overall, as he's not the reckless risk taker Mullens is.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Darnold is probably (but maybe not) better for the team overall, as he's not the reckless risk taker Mullens is.

Mullins is a disaster. If he’s starting then Vikes are flirting with 1.01

 

[BobbyLayne]

Darnold is probably (but maybe not) better for the team overall, as he's not the reckless risk taker Mullens is.

Mullins is a disaster. If he’s starting then Vikes are flirting with 1.01

Not seeing the problem here.

Let Jameis Nate Nick cook!

 

[eighsse2]

Darnold is probably (but maybe not) better for the team overall, as he's not the reckless risk taker Mullens is.

Mullins is a disaster. If he’s starting then Vikes are flirting with 1.01

Not seeing the problem here.

Let Jameis Nate cook!

Nate who?

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Darnold is probably (but maybe not) better for the team overall, as he's not the reckless risk taker Mullens is.

Mullins is a disaster. If he’s starting then Vikes are flirting with 1.01

Not seeing the problem here.

Let Jameis Nate cook!

Nate who?

Nick, Nate, same difference.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Darnold is probably (but maybe not) better for the team overall, as he's not the reckless risk taker Mullens is.

Mullins is a disaster. If he’s starting then Vikes are flirting with 1.01

Not seeing the problem here.

Let Jameis Nate cook!

Nate who?

Nick, Nate, same difference.

Confused him with our awful 3rd stringer, my bad

 

[joey]

Sleeper alert just said he’s out for the SEASON. dang

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Yep got a hit from Fantasy pros with the same info. Team opting to sit him after the surgery

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Sleeper alert just said he’s out for the SEASON. dang

Kinda expected that, tbh.

 

[Zow]

This might be a blessing in disguise. JM will sit for most of the year and will not have the fan base pressuring him to start due to the injury.

As a Vikings fan I'm not happy about this. We drafted JJ thinking he was NFL - ready and he looked the part so far. I view this as a lost year for who is ideally our franchise QB.

 

[socrates]

Sleeper alert just said he’s out for the SEASON. dang

New IR Rules allow teams to place up to 2 players on IR at the roster cutdown deadline to return during the season. I bring this up because being put on IR does not necessarily rule out a return later in the season for McCarthy. I have no insight into the team's intentions; I am just thinking out loud.

 

[massraider]

New IR Rules allow teams to place up to 2 players on IR at the roster cutdown deadline to return during the season. I bring this up because being put on IR does not necessarily rule out a return later in the season for McCarthy. I have no insight into the team's intentions; I am just thinking out loud.

Good point.

I haven't really read any statements, but if the Vikings used 'out for the season' language, it might be in their best interest to head off any QB battle. I mean, the media was lining up to fondle JJ, you could see it coming. The Athletic just did a puff piece on his family.

This way, Vikings get a pressure release on Darnold, JJ, and the coaches.

If Darnold sucks they can always have Rapaport send out a tweet about how the Vikings are "amazed" by the "remarkable" recovery of JJ McCarthy, and could "potentially" return this season.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

New IR Rules allow teams to place up to 2 players on IR at the roster cutdown deadline to return during the season. I bring this up because being put on IR does not necessarily rule out a return later in the season for McCarthy. I have no insight into the team's intentions; I am just thinking out loud.

Good point.

I haven't really read any statements, but if the Vikings used 'out for the season' language, it might be in their best interest to head off any QB battle. I mean, the media was lining up to fondle JJ, you could see it coming. The Athletic just did a puff piece on his family.

This way, Vikings get a pressure release on Darnold, JJ, and the coaches.

If Darnold sucks they can always have Rapaport send out a tweet about how the Vikings are "amazed" by the "remarkable" recovery of JJ McCarthy, and could "potentially" return this season.

The timeline for the surgery was laid out pretty clearly by some med guys on the Xwitters.

Partial tear/cleanup = 3-6 weeks
Full tear = 4-6 months.

He’s out for the season.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

If Darnold sucks they can always have Rapaport send out a tweet about how the Vikings are "amazed" by the "remarkable" recovery of JJ McCarthy, and could "potentially" return this season.

This part cracked me up. Not gonna lie. lol

 

[massraider]

He’s out for the season.

Your underestimation of this Irish demigod has been noted.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

He’s out for the season.

Your underestimation of this Irish demigod has been noted.

It’s science.

/Ron Burgundy

 

[massraider]

This part cracked me up. Not gonna lie. lol

As expected, JJ McCarthy has made an amazing recovery, and is on track to be ready for the playoffs


Aliens could invade tomorrow, and Rapaport would say, As I have been hearing....

 

[Major]

This might be a blessing in disguise. JM will sit for most of the year and will not have the fan base pressuring him to start due to the injury.

He looked awfully good though. And if he’s out a year, that’s a lot of reps/experience to lose.

Sure. I'm not saying he couldn't be successful in year one. I'm more of a fan of letting the young guys sit for a year, learn, and let the game slow down rather than throwing them straight into the fire.

I used to agree with your line of thinking but in that rookie QB salary window is when you strike. Most teams can't afford to be that patient with the salaries good QBs command. The Vikes have no choice now but losing a year of development is going to hurt.

 

[Biabreakable]

This might be a blessing in disguise. JM will sit for most of the year and will not have the fan base pressuring him to start due to the injury.

He looked awfully good though. And if he’s out a year, that’s a lot of reps/experience to lose.

Sure. I'm not saying he couldn't be successful in year one. I'm more of a fan of letting the young guys sit for a year, learn, and let the game slow down rather than throwing them straight into the fire.

I used to agree with your line of thinking but in that rookie QB salary window is when you strike. Most teams can't afford to be that patient with the salaries good QBs command. The Vikes have no choice now but losing a year of development is going to hurt.

Salary cap wise the Vikings have positioned themselves to be able to sign a lot of free agents in 2025 and put their best foot forward to being competitive then.

 

[Deamon]

Dammmmnnnn whole season. Rough.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

This might be a blessing in disguise. JM will sit for most of the year and will not have the fan base pressuring him to start due to the injury.

He looked awfully good though. And if he’s out a year, that’s a lot of reps/experience to lose.

Sure. I'm not saying he couldn't be successful in year one. I'm more of a fan of letting the young guys sit for a year, learn, and let the game slow down rather than throwing them straight into the fire.

I used to agree with your line of thinking but in that rookie QB salary window is when you strike. Most teams can't afford to be that patient with the salaries good QBs command. The Vikes have no choice now but losing a year of development is going to hurt.

Salary cap wise the Vikings have positioned themselves to be able to sign a lot of free agents in 2025 and put their best foot forward to being competitive then.

It’s true, but it is equally true that JJM’s development as a pro will suffer from the lost season.

 

[Biabreakable]

This might be a blessing in disguise. JM will sit for most of the year and will not have the fan base pressuring him to start due to the injury.

He looked awfully good though. And if he’s out a year, that’s a lot of reps/experience to lose.

Sure. I'm not saying he couldn't be successful in year one. I'm more of a fan of letting the young guys sit for a year, learn, and let the game slow down rather than throwing them straight into the fire.

I used to agree with your line of thinking but in that rookie QB salary window is when you strike. Most teams can't afford to be that patient with the salaries good QBs command. The Vikes have no choice now but losing a year of development is going to hurt.

Salary cap wise the Vikings have positioned themselves to be able to sign a lot of free agents in 2025 and put their best foot forward to being competitive then.

It’s true, but it is equally true that JJM’s development as a pro will suffer from the lost season.

Yep. He needs reps. Not going to get better without them.

 

[dipandglide]

This might be a blessing in disguise. JM will sit for most of the year and will not have the fan base pressuring him to start due to the injury.

He looked awfully good though. And if he’s out a year, that’s a lot of reps/experience to lose.

Sure. I'm not saying he couldn't be successful in year one. I'm more of a fan of letting the young guys sit for a year, learn, and let the game slow down rather than throwing them straight into the fire.

I used to agree with your line of thinking but in that rookie QB salary window is when you strike. Most teams can't afford to be that patient with the salaries good QBs command. The Vikes have no choice now but losing a year of development is going to hurt.

Salary cap wise the Vikings have positioned themselves to be able to sign a lot of free agents in 2025 and put their best foot forward to being competitive then.

It’s true, but it is equally true that JJM’s development as a pro will suffer from the lost season.

Yep. He needs reps. Not going to get better without them.

Practice makes perfect!

Watch, learn, heal up, and get ready to be the guy in '25

 

[Faust]

J.J. McCarthy
Sam Darnold is good at football

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