QB J.J. McCarthy, MIN (8 Viewers)

[JohnnyU]

I mean...

You never predicted he’d get hurt. The second he started the 1st game of the season you were wrong. Sit down.

Nope. You're wrong here.

Nope. You’re wrong here.

Sorry about your JJ luck. He's not very good.

Sorry you were wrong about JJ not starting the year. You’re not very good.

Said he wouldn't be starting for long. And was right.

Sorry you thought JJ was good. Bad take.

Just take the L buddy. You said he wouldn’t be their starter. He was their starter. Bad take.

Brett would have won the job easily had they not let him go find a better situation for himself.

Enjoy your day, it will get better

Seriously? If "will not be the starter for long" is the prop, then the answer should be "not determined yet". You're neither right nor wrong yet. I mean sure if you meant he will soon be literally not starting a game then yes, but that's almost never what someone means when they say a player is "the starter".

It’s a schtick. The sooner you accept that it’s a schtick, the less frustrated you’ll be with their nonsensical goalpost moving takes.

Yeah, i'm sure @Deamon has had a lot of fun with that at the expense of the shark pool

 

[Deamon]

I mean...

You never predicted he’d get hurt. The second he started the 1st game of the season you were wrong. Sit down.

Nope. You're wrong here.

Nope. You’re wrong here.

Sorry about your JJ luck. He's not very good.

Sorry you were wrong about JJ not starting the year. You’re not very good.

Said he wouldn't be starting for long. And was right.

Sorry you thought JJ was good. Bad take.

Just take the L buddy. You said he wouldn’t be their starter. He was their starter. Bad take.

Brett would have won the job easily had they not let him go find a better situation for himself.

Enjoy your day, it will get better

Seriously? If "will not be the starter for long" is the prop, then the answer should be "not determined yet". You're neither right nor wrong yet. I mean sure if you meant he will soon be literally not starting a game then yes, but that's almost never what someone means when they say a player is "the starter".

It’s a schtick. The sooner you accept that it’s a schtick, the less frustrated you’ll be with their nonsensical goalpost moving takes.

Yeah, i'm sure @Deamon has had a lot of fun with that at the expense of the shark pool

Just think BR is a far better QB than JJ is all.

 

[JohnnyU]

I mean...

You never predicted he’d get hurt. The second he started the 1st game of the season you were wrong. Sit down.

Nope. You're wrong here.

Nope. You’re wrong here.

Sorry about your JJ luck. He's not very good.

Sorry you were wrong about JJ not starting the year. You’re not very good.

Said he wouldn't be starting for long. And was right.

Sorry you thought JJ was good. Bad take.

Just take the L buddy. You said he wouldn’t be their starter. He was their starter. Bad take.

Brett would have won the job easily had they not let him go find a better situation for himself.

Enjoy your day, it will get better

Seriously? If "will not be the starter for long" is the prop, then the answer should be "not determined yet". You're neither right nor wrong yet. I mean sure if you meant he will soon be literally not starting a game then yes, but that's almost never what someone means when they say a player is "the starter".

It’s a schtick. The sooner you accept that it’s a schtick, the less frustrated you’ll be with their nonsensical goalpost moving takes.

Yeah, i'm sure @Deamon has had a lot of fun with that at the expense of the shark pool

Just think BR is a far better QB than JJ is all.

BR should join Joe Kapp for a beer .... oh wait...

 

[TheWinz]

At this point, are the Vikings simply trying to reboot him and start from scratch? Lots of stories abound about how he isn't as injured as MIN is letting on.

 

[bolzano]

They predominantly worked on throwing mechanics from the ground up, talking through repetitions in pursuit of consistency.

Kevin O’Connell Outlines Focus of Work as J.J. McCarthy Returns to Practice

 

[Faust]

Ross Tucker Podcast
“I've been getting a LOT of grief online… my position that I keep saying JJ McCarthy is a hiding behind health situation.”

“This is the second week in a row that Kevin O'Connell has him as the emergency third quarterback meaning that doctors have CLEARED him to go on to the field.”

@ProFootballDoc on the Vikings QB situation being a coaching decision:

https://x.com/rosstuckerpod/status/1981406166153384369?s=61

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Ross Tucker Podcast
“I've been getting a LOT of grief online… my position that I keep saying JJ McCarthy is a hiding behind health situation.”

“This is the second week in a row that Kevin O'Connell has him as the emergency third quarterback meaning that doctors have CLEARED him to go on to the field.”

@ProFootballDoc on the Vikings QB situation being a coaching decision:

https://x.com/rosstuckerpod/status/1981406166153384369?s=61

This clears up some questions I had, thank you!

 

[Schmeabs]

Definitely a benching

A high ankle sprain is “definitely a benching”?

Wild.

Have you come around to the idea that JJ was in fact benched or do you still think he was hurt?

 

[steelcityman]

IDK, Wentz isnt good. IDK what the hold up is, but it cant be talent. I guess as long as they are in the playoff hunt, Wentz could keep starting, but how much longer will that be?
Or, after their mini bye after tonight, they make the switch. He played 2 games. One was pretty good. And they bench him? For Wentz?

 

[bolzano]

Definitely a benching

A high ankle sprain is “definitely a benching”?

Wild.

Have you come around to the idea that JJ was in fact benched or do you still think he was hurt?

I’m still not buying the phantom injury theory, IMO, he had a HAS, which is typically a 4-6 week injury. At this point, he’s healthy enough to play, if necessary. But, the Vikings would prefer to get him as close to 100% as possible + work on some mechanical issues that need fixing.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Definitely a benching

A high ankle sprain is “definitely a benching”?

Wild.

Have you come around to the idea that JJ was in fact benched or do you still think he was hurt?

I’m still not buying the phantom injury theory, IMO, he had a HAS, which is typically a 4-6 week injury. At this point, he’s healthy enough to play, if necessary. But, the Vikings would prefer to get him as close to 100% as possible + work on some mechanical issues that need fixing.

I agree with this. He’s medically cleared to practice.

The Vikings aren’t playing FF, they’re thinking long-term. And considering how much Wentz has been a piñata behind that leaky OL, it seems like rushing back JJM would be incredibly risky for no real reason.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Definitely a benching

A high ankle sprain is “definitely a benching”?

Wild.

Have you come around to the idea that JJ was in fact benched or do you still think he was hurt?

I think he had a high ankle sprain. Because he had a high ankle sprain.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Or, after their mini bye after tonight, they make the switch

I’ve read much speculation that this is their plan. They don’t want to play him less than 100% because a QB unable to scramble + that OL could = disaster for a young passer they’re trying to develop.

 

[zamboni]

Definitely a benching

A high ankle sprain is “definitely a benching”?

Wild.

Have you come around to the idea that JJ was in fact benched or do you still think he was hurt?

I’m still not buying the phantom injury theory, IMO, he had a HAS, which is typically a 4-6 week injury. At this point, he’s healthy enough to play, if necessary. But, the Vikings would prefer to get him as close to 100% as possible + work on some mechanical issues that need fixing.

I agree with this. He’s medically cleared to practice.

The Vikings aren’t playing FF, they’re thinking long-term. And considering how much Wentz has been a piñata behind that leaky OL, it seems like rushing back JJM would be incredibly risky for no real reason.

Could also be that O’Connell didn’t want to throw JJM back to the wolves on nationally televised TNF. If he’s not back in there next week, then something is really up.

 

[Faust]

J.J. McCarthy’s Development and Where the QB Stands With the Vikings

 

[dipandglide]

JJ's throwing motion looks slow. That's not good in the NFL.

I traded Tua for JJ in dynasty. I'm going to flip JJ the minute he's hyped up again.

 

[zamboni]

Should be little doubt after tonight that JJM will be back under center next week as long as he’s healthy enough.

 

[smbkrypt24]

Should be little doubt after tonight that JJM will be back under center next week as long as he’s healthy enough.

Wentz looks very injured…is that why you think that?

 

[zamboni]

Should be little doubt after tonight that JJM will be back under center next week as long as he’s healthy enough.

Wentz looks very injured…is that why you think that?

Partially but mainly because the team is going nowhere with Wentz and JJM at least has a chance to spark them.

 

[TVT 0 N S T A]

I can see the reason Wentz is always renting a U-Haul every spring. Maybe this works into McCarthy favor... Wentz and that noodle have rocked the fanbase to sleep. Any semblance of talent will be appreciated after a couple weeks of watching Wentz.

 

[TVT 0 N S T A]

JJ's throwing motion looks slow. That's not good in the NFL.

I traded Tua for JJ in dynasty. I'm going to flip JJ the minute he's hyped up again.

But... KOC?

 

[bolzano]

As a Jefferson owner, I’m done with the Wentz experiment. He just doesn’t look JJ’s way in the red zone and only has eyes for Addison.

Bring back McCarthy!

 

[smbkrypt24]

Should be little doubt after tonight that JJM will be back under center next week as long as he’s healthy enough.

Wentz looks very injured…is that why you think that?

Partially but mainly because the team is going nowhere with Wentz and JJM at least has a chance to spark them.

If JjM were healthy and they are going with this….what an indictment.

 

[BigJim®]

Should be little doubt after tonight that JJM will be back under center next week as long as he’s healthy enough.

Wentz looks very injured…is that why you think that?

Partially but mainly because the team is going nowhere with Wentz and JJM at least has a chance to spark them.

If JjM were healthy and they are going with this….what an indictment.

JMHO, I truly think it is more a coaching indictment of the OL, who they know will wreck JJ Mc before he has a prayer to learn/grow. They lost the starting center, and now can’t get any snaps from starting RT or LT. Wentz is nothing more than a sacrificial lamb.

 

[steelcityman]

Funny part will be JJ will start and nothing will improve, and maybe he gets clocked and is out, Wentz might be out now too, Bosmer or whatever his name is, will come in and light up the scoreboard. Minn still have enough skill position talent to win games, they just need a QB to not give a crap and sling it.

 

[Faust]

Underdog NFL
HC O'Connell on if JJ McCarthy (ankle) will start in Week 9:

"If JJ's healthy, JJ will play. That's been the case since the injury."

https://x.com/underdognfl/status/1981571046454206827?s=61

 

[massraider]

Underdog NFL
HC O'Connell on if JJ McCarthy (ankle) will start in Week 9:

"If JJ's healthy, JJ will play. That's been the case since the injury."

https://x.com/underdognfl/status/1981571046454206827?s=61

I don't know.... seems suspicious.

 

[cdclopper]

Underdog NFL
HC O'Connell on if JJ McCarthy (ankle) will start in Week 9:

"If JJ's healthy, JJ will play. That's been the case since the injury."

https://x.com/underdognfl/status/1981571046454206827?s=61

Funny because Wentz was playing last night clearly not healthy.

 

[King of the Jungle]

Funny part will be JJ will start and nothing will improve, and maybe he gets clocked and is out, Wentz might be out now too, Bosmer or whatever his name is, will come in and light up the scoreboard. Minn still have enough skill position talent to win games, they just need a QB to not give a crap and sling it.

Winston would be perfect…for FF purposes.

 

[Bronco Billy]

JJ's throwing motion looks slow. That's not good in the NFL.

I traded Tua for JJ in dynasty. I'm going to flip JJ the minute he's hyped up again.

I guess it must have looked a lot faster when you rostered him in the first place.

 

[dipandglide]

JJ's throwing motion looks slow. That's not good in the NFL.

I traded Tua for JJ in dynasty. I'm going to flip JJ the minute he's hyped up again.

I guess it must have looked a lot faster when you rostered him in the first place.

I reluctantly traded Tua for JJ two weeks ago. It's my only share. I'm not competing in that league and want to tank. JJ was the best option.

 

[SayWhat?]

I reluctantly traded Tua for JJ two weeks ago. It's my only share. I'm not competing in that league and want to tank. JJ was the best option.

Reluctantly? Tua is a negative asset IMO. At least JJM has legit upside in that offense plus some rushing ability. That’s a no brainer deal.

 

[Bronco Billy]

JJ's throwing motion looks slow. That's not good in the NFL.

I traded Tua for JJ in dynasty. I'm going to flip JJ the minute he's hyped up again.

I guess it must have looked a lot faster when you rostered him in the first place.

I reluctantly traded Tua for JJ two weeks ago. It's my only share. I'm not competing in that league and want to tank. JJ was the best option.

And yet you’re going to flip JJM? If he’s so horrible and you’re trying to field a tanking lineup, why wouldn’t you hold him?

 

[eighsse2]

JJ's throwing motion looks slow. That's not good in the NFL.

I traded Tua for JJ in dynasty. I'm going to flip JJ the minute he's hyped up again.

I guess it must have looked a lot faster when you rostered him in the first place.

I reluctantly traded Tua for JJ two weeks ago. It's my only share. I'm not competing in that league and want to tank. JJ was the best option.

And yet you’re going to flip JJM? If he’s so horrible and you’re trying to field a tanking lineup, why wouldn’t you hold him?

Though I personally am not doom and gloom about McCarthy, I can understand both of those things meshing. If he gets "hyped up again", then his return value could be better than his "tanking value", especially if it involves draft picks. You can easily acquire players that don't score points to help you tank. I think the only players that have real value for tanking would be prospects that you believe in, who aren't playing (or are hardly playing) currently.

 

[Bronco Billy]

JJ's throwing motion looks slow. That's not good in the NFL.

I traded Tua for JJ in dynasty. I'm going to flip JJ the minute he's hyped up again.

I guess it must have looked a lot faster when you rostered him in the first place.

I reluctantly traded Tua for JJ two weeks ago. It's my only share. I'm not competing in that league and want to tank. JJ was the best option.

And yet you’re going to flip JJM? If he’s so horrible and you’re trying to field a tanking lineup, why wouldn’t you hold him?

Though I personally am not doom and gloom about McCarthy, I can understand both of those things meshing. If he gets "hyped up again", then his return value could be better than his "tanking value", especially if it involves draft picks. You can easily acquire players that don't score points to help you tank. I think the only players that have real value for tanking would be prospects that you believe in, who aren't playing (or are hardly playing) currently.

D&G is wholly down on McCarthy, even introducing his awfulness into threads that have nothing to do with JJM. A slight bump in trade value because of limited good performance just can’t be equivalent to securing next year’s 1.01. Hence the question for D&G.

 

[dipandglide]

JJ's throwing motion looks slow. That's not good in the NFL.

I traded Tua for JJ in dynasty. I'm going to flip JJ the minute he's hyped up again.

I guess it must have looked a lot faster when you rostered him in the first place.

I reluctantly traded Tua for JJ two weeks ago. It's my only share. I'm not competing in that league and want to tank. JJ was the best option.

And yet you’re going to flip JJM? If he’s so horrible and you’re trying to field a tanking lineup, why wouldn’t you hold him?

Why wouldn't I hold him? Read the first post you quoted

 

[dipandglide]

I reluctantly traded Tua for JJ two weeks ago. It's my only share. I'm not competing in that league and want to tank. JJ was the best option.

Reluctantly? Tua is a negative asset IMO. At least JJM has legit upside in that offense plus some rushing ability. That’s a no brainer deal.

Ya, JJM will be lucky to put up Tua's stats. Tua is a decent QB, albeit limited.

There's a new crop of JJM's every year that statistically don't work out. I usually try to hold/acquire proven QBs and let others pull the slot machine lever with their draft picks.

 

[dipandglide]

JJ's throwing motion looks slow. That's not good in the NFL.

I traded Tua for JJ in dynasty. I'm going to flip JJ the minute he's hyped up again.

I guess it must have looked a lot faster when you rostered him in the first place.

I reluctantly traded Tua for JJ two weeks ago. It's my only share. I'm not competing in that league and want to tank. JJ was the best option.

And yet you’re going to flip JJM? If he’s so horrible and you’re trying to field a tanking lineup, why wouldn’t you hold him?

Though I personally am not doom and gloom about McCarthy, I can understand both of those things meshing. If he gets "hyped up again", then his return value could be better than his "tanking value", especially if it involves draft picks. You can easily acquire players that don't score points to help you tank. I think the only players that have real value for tanking would be prospects that you believe in, who aren't playing (or are hardly playing) currently.

You get it!

Younger players and picks are liquid assets that usually hold trade value. Guys like Tua are less liquid. I like trade flexibility if possible. @SayWhat? post proves this point.

 

[zamboni]

With Wentz out for the year, that removes any potential QB controversy and it’s all on JJM now.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Oh so now the Vikings are faking a Wentz injury so there won’t be any controversy when JJM comes back am I doing this right?

 

[smbkrypt24]

Oh so now the Vikings are faking a Wentz injury so there won’t be any controversy when JJM comes back am I doing this right?

The question becomes was JJM healthy all along and with Wentz getting the surgery it forces their hand or did Wentz decide to get the surgery knowing JJM was healthy now.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Oh so now the Vikings are faking a Wentz injury so there won’t be any controversy when JJM comes back am I doing this right?

The question becomes was JJM healthy all along and with Wentz getting the surgery it forces their hand or did Wentz decide to get the surgery knowing JJM was healthy now.

lol everyone has questioned that all along, thus my sarcasm.

 

[sushinsky4tsar]

New here. Just checking in to say I don't really get the level of fear and loathing on McCarthy over two bad games (his first as a pro) that included plenty of other issues with the offense and an impressive 4th quarter road comeback in his debut. If there's any concern from me at this point, it's durability. The kid is definitely going to have to learn to play NFL football at less than 100% health, but I completely get wanting to make sure he's near reasonable full health for the start of his career behind this line.

Only issue I really have with how KOC has handled it was not making the switch to Brosmer in the previous (Chargers) game when it was clear Wentz was hurt. I get not wanting to open that can of worms and potentially having one more thing weighing on McCarthy if the former Gopher actually balls out. However, realistically I don't know how likely that was to happen to any extent where the local fanbase is calling for Brosmer to supplant JJM for #1. Even if he did, having a promising young backup QB waiting in the wings is champagne problems. Fair to let them compete if the wrong one is looking like Joe Montana at that point.

If the o-line continues to struggle, I expect KOC to protect McCarthy a lot regardless of how poorly the run game performs. I don't think they even consider pulling the plug on McCarthy until he proves he can't do it behind an o-line that can adequately pass protect. Unfortunately, we might not get to see that until 2026.

 

[eighsse2]

New here. Just checking in to say I don't really get the level of fear and loathing on McCarthy over two bad games (his first as a pro) that included plenty of other issues with the offense and an impressive 4th quarter road comeback in his debut. If there's any concern from me at this point, it's durability. The kid is definitely going to have to learn to play NFL football at less than 100% health, but I completely get wanting to make sure he's near reasonable full health for the start of his career behind this line.

Only issue I really have with how KOC has handled it was not making the switch to Brosmer in the previous (Chargers) game when it was clear Wentz was hurt. I get not wanting to open that can of worms and potentially having one more thing weighing on McCarthy if the former Gopher actually balls out. However, realistically I don't know how likely that was to happen to any extent where the local fanbase is calling for Brosmer to supplant JJM for #1. Even if he did, having a promising young backup QB waiting in the wings is champagne problems. Fair to let them compete if the wrong one is looking like Joe Montana at that point.

If the o-line continues to struggle, I expect KOC to protect McCarthy a lot regardless of how poorly the run game performs. I don't think they even consider pulling the plug on McCarthy until he proves he can't do it behind an o-line that can adequately pass protect. Unfortunately, we might not get to see that until 2026.

41 passing attempts and 7 rushing attempts. Pretty crazy how confident people can be in either direction about the guy. If you think his career is defined at this point he better either have 20 TD's on those 41 passes or else more passes completed to the other team than his own.

 

[FarFromHome]

New here. Just checking in to say I don't really get the level of fear and loathing on McCarthy over two bad games (his first as a pro) that included plenty of other issues with the offense and an impressive 4th quarter road comeback in his debut. If there's any concern from me at this point, it's durability. The kid is definitely going to have to learn to play NFL football at less than 100% health, but I completely get wanting to make sure he's near reasonable full health for the start of his career behind this line.

Only issue I really have with how KOC has handled it was not making the switch to Brosmer in the previous (Chargers) game when it was clear Wentz was hurt. I get not wanting to open that can of worms and potentially having one more thing weighing on McCarthy if the former Gopher actually balls out. However, realistically I don't know how likely that was to happen to any extent where the local fanbase is calling for Brosmer to supplant JJM for #1. Even if he did, having a promising young backup QB waiting in the wings is champagne problems. Fair to let them compete if the wrong one is looking like Joe Montana at that point.

If the o-line continues to struggle, I expect KOC to protect McCarthy a lot regardless of how poorly the run game performs. I don't think they even consider pulling the plug on McCarthy until he proves he can't do it behind an o-line that can adequately pass protect. Unfortunately, we might not get to see that until 2026.

41 passing attempts and 7 rushing attempts. Pretty crazy how confident people can be in either direction about the guy. If you think his career is defined at this point he better either have 20 TD's on those 41 passes or else more passes completed to the other team than his own.

Last year in the Bryce Young thread they said he won't start anymore for any team ever. Ha ha

 

[sushinsky4tsar]

New here. Just checking in to say I don't really get the level of fear and loathing on McCarthy over two bad games (his first as a pro) that included plenty of other issues with the offense and an impressive 4th quarter road comeback in his debut. If there's any concern from me at this point, it's durability. The kid is definitely going to have to learn to play NFL football at less than 100% health, but I completely get wanting to make sure he's near reasonable full health for the start of his career behind this line.

Only issue I really have with how KOC has handled it was not making the switch to Brosmer in the previous (Chargers) game when it was clear Wentz was hurt. I get not wanting to open that can of worms and potentially having one more thing weighing on McCarthy if the former Gopher actually balls out. However, realistically I don't know how likely that was to happen to any extent where the local fanbase is calling for Brosmer to supplant JJM for #1. Even if he did, having a promising young backup QB waiting in the wings is champagne problems. Fair to let them compete if the wrong one is looking like Joe Montana at that point.

If the o-line continues to struggle, I expect KOC to protect McCarthy a lot regardless of how poorly the run game performs. I don't think they even consider pulling the plug on McCarthy until he proves he can't do it behind an o-line that can adequately pass protect. Unfortunately, we might not get to see that until 2026.

41 passing attempts and 7 rushing attempts. Pretty crazy how confident people can be in either direction about the guy. If you think his career is defined at this point he better either have 20 TD's on those 41 passes or else more passes completed to the other team than his own.

Last year in the Bryce Young thread they said he won't start anymore for any team ever. Ha ha

And has already boomeranged the other way and now all the way back again.

I think fans and GMs both need to learn it's not pass/fail Mahomes franchise QB or not. Besides the obvious that it's way too early, even if it wasn't, there's a whole lot of shades of gray in between full of guys who can do it with the right tools around them, but are going to look terrible with an injury depleted line, no run game, or lack of receiving threats.

If McCarthy eventually excels, but it takes paying Jefferson, Addison, and Hockenson, in addition to a big o-line investments, in addition to health for all, I'll be the first to say he shouldn't be getting paid like a top-5 QB unless he's wearing a ring. But that's a good problem for another day.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

41 passing attempts and 7 rushing attempts. Pretty crazy how confident people can be in either direction about the guy. If you think his career is defined at this point he better either have 20 TD's on those 41 passes or else more passes completed to the other team than his own.

And all behind an OL that had more starters out than what Wentz struggled mightily behind.

Which is also a reason for 2025 pessimism, since that OL has not been remarkably better, but that’s another discussion. And with no Addison.

I don’t see the 1st 2 games as an indictment on JJM, but more that the OL has been exposed as being terrible.

TBD on how JJM plays but I’m glad we’ll get to see some development reps from him.