J.J. McCarthy Could Do the Funniest Thing Ever
The Minnesota Vikings decided to turn the page this offseason.
J.J. McCarthy can take the field for the Minnesota Vikings and immediately make all of the analysts doubting him look silly.
They told Aaron Rodgers to kick rocks, and they didn’t entertain a reunion with Kirk Cousins. Sam Darnold signed elsewhere, and Daniel Jones ran for the hills. They drafted J.J. McCarthy last season with the intention of him being their franchise quarterback.
That opportunity begins now.
Sam Howell, Brett Rypien, and Max Brosmer are all competing for backup duties behind McCarthy. There is no question who the starter for Kevin O’Connell’s team will be. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of outside noise regarding the ability that the former Michigan product possesses.
While with the Wolverines, McCarthy had the benefit of a dynamic running game that often kept pressure off his passing game. That is a benefit and not a deterrent, but many national talking heads are suggesting there is plenty of reason to be worried.
No matter where you look, there are questions about McCarthy’s arm strength, his ability to throw at the highest level, and uncertainty about what success could come in year one. None of them seems to consider just how well the production has been at every point during his career.
Dating back to high school and through college, all McCarthy has done is win. He has found ways to get the job done by leaning on his teammates, trusting his arm talent, and working through the mental capabilities that have always rendered him elite. The knee injury gave him ample opportunity to sit back and learn last season. He soaked up all of that opportunity as well.
O’Connell brought Darnold in as a veteran backup who could help to grow and challenge McCarthy. Instead, he was thrust into a starting role, and the cast and coach helped propel him to a 14-win season. McCarthy should be well-positioned to achieve a similar level of success and possibly exceed it.
The former Michigan Wolverine has the opportunity to make so many talking heads eat crow, it won’t be funny. He can be the dynamic starting quarterback that Minnesota Vikings fans have dreamed of for years. He has all the talent, and the tape shows it as well.
The doubters remain loud, and silencing them will be sweet.
Surprise Rocks Vikings Minicamp
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities who45 is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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