Questions Answered: J.J. McCarthy in September, Ty Chandler, a Vikings Training Camp Battle
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the July 11th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Questions Answered: J.J. McCarthy in September, Ty Chandler, a Vikings Training Camp Battle
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
Q: Do you think we’ll see J.J. McCarthy on the field sometime in September?
Answer: No. Probably not October, either.
The Vikings really like and believe in Sam Darnold, and the sooner fans absorb that idea, the easier it will be to digest the eventual QB1 decision. McCarthy is just 21 years old, and part of the perk with the addition to Minnesota’s roster is that nothing has to be rushed.
In fact, McCarthy might even be the QB3 this season behind Darnold and Nick Mullens. Folks shouldn’t be too disappointed if 2024 is a total redshirt year for the young Wolverine. Sometimes, that’s just how it goes.
Q: Will Ty Chandler receive a lot of attention in the Vikings’ offense, or is he ornamental with Aaron Jones on the roster?
Answer: We believe he’ll earn just as many carries as Aaron Jones by the time the season is over.
Aaron Jones averages 12 carries per game throughout his career, so he’s not a workhorse guy. Some folks think that because Jones was a high-profile free-agent addition — he’ll get approximately 20 rushing attempts to per game.
Not gonna happen.
Jones will get his 12 carries per game, with Chandler right behind around 10 or so. That’s our prediction, anyway. Cam Akers, too, should be on the roster before too long.
Q: Are there any Vikings training camp battles you think are already decided?
A: Yes. Let’s go with quarterback and kicker.
Our answer to the first question should emphatically point to Darnold as the QB1, with little to no debate this summer. Even if McCarthy looks phenomenal at training camp in the preseason, Minnesota will probably roll with Darnold, at least to start the season.
Then, kicker is likely already a done deal. The Vikings didn’t make Will Reichard the first kicker off the board in April’s draft just to cut him four months later in favor of Parker Romo. Reichard will win the kicker’s job beyond the shadow of a doubt, and Romo might get released prior to the official roster trimdown date.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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