J.J. McCarthy Starts to Get His Flowers
Heading into last week, a showdown in Texas with the oddsmakers-favored Dallas Cowboys, CBS Sports called Minnesota Vikings passer J.J. McCarthy the single-worst starting quarterback in the NFL. Yes — that bad. But one week later, the young signal-caller has begun to get his flowers, climbing the same batch of rankings ever so slightly.
Two straight competent outings can change a rookie QB’s narrative fast, and McCarthy is finally giving Minnesota proof instead of hope.
McCarthy isn’t suddenly a Pro Bowler, but he’s also not the worst starting quarterback on the planet, says CBS Sports.
J.J. McCarthy’s Growth Is Starting to Look Real
The man is rising before your very eyes.
CBS Sports on McCarthy: From 32nd to 26th
Start your engines; McCarthy is no longer the NFL’s worst starting quarterback.
Garrett Podell plopped McCarthy at No. 26 in his power rankings and explained, “McCarthy has found some success, throwing six passing touchdowns to just one interception against two of the NFL’s worst defenses in the Washington Commanders and the Dallas Cowboys the last two weeks.”
“However, he still has a long way to go as he ranks dead last in the NFL in completion percentage (56.8%), touchdown-to-interception ratio (11-11) and passer rating (72.1) this season among 32 qualified quarterbacks.”
It’s a six-spot climb for the young passer in a single week. McCarthy is changing minds on the fly.
Baby Steps Are Welcomed
This is what fans asked for: McCarthy to see the light. Most assumed that he might perform at an average clip after his dreadful first six starts, and then maybe cross over into the good or great tier down the road.
In the last two games, McCarthy skipped the average zone and pranced right into good or great. It’s quite remarkable. McCarthy, in short, went from very, very bad — to, well, very, very good after his concussion that he suffered at the Green Bay Packers in Week 12
And fans will take whatever they can get. Not long ago, folks were already preparing for the worst, the outcome that Minnesota had drafted a bust. That’s how poorly McCarthy played in September, October, and November.
A Two-Week Heater
Then, Week 14 and 15 happened.
McCarthy didn’t just take advantage of friendly matchups in Washington and Dallas — he controlled them. And that matters, because Vikings fans have seen plenty of quarterbacks post hollow box scores in the past. This one felt different. The Commanders and Cowboys never dictated terms, and neither did the moment. McCarthy played with command.
What stood out most wasn’t a single throw or scramble, but the rhythm. The offense stayed on time. Third downs didn’t feel panicked. Drives didn’t hinge on bailout plays. Against Dallas — and again the week prior versus Washington — McCarthy looked comfortable running the offense rather than surviving it.
The production followed naturally. He personally accounted for three total touchdowns in both games, spread the ball efficiently, and avoided the kinds of mistakes that derail young quarterbacks. Advanced metrics backed it up, too, placing McCarthy firmly among the league’s most effective passers over the past two weeks. Suddenly, fans began to envision that the front office got the draft pick right.
Next Test Should Be “Easy,” Too
Some have been quick to point out that McCarthy is only thriving lately because the opposing defenses are awful. The second part of that phrase is accurate. And this weekend, the trend will continue.
Defensive DVOA Ranking,
Entering Week 16:
Commanders: 27th
Giants: 28th
Cowboys: 30th
McCarthy will experience back-to-back-to-back bottom-six defenses in the NFL. One might call it just what the doctor ordered for a quarterback sifting through his maturation and development.
Other QB Rankings
Who’s the best quarterback in the NFL at the moment? Matthew Stafford, says Podell.
He noted on Stafford, “Matthew Stafford is your NFL MVP favorite at -300, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. He leads the NFL in passing touchdowns (37) and passer rating (112.2). Stafford is also only the third different quarterback all time with 35 or more passing touchdowns (37) and five or fewer interceptions (5) through the first 14 games of a season in NFL history.”
“Aaron Rodgers in two of his four NFL MVP seasons (2014 and 2020) and Patrick Mahomes (2020) are the only other passers in the rarefied air Stafford is in at the moment in 2025.”
Podell placed former Viking Sam Darnold at No. 7 and wrote, “Sam Darnold struggled against the Indianapolis Colts defense in a narrow 18-16 victory.”
“His co-league-leading 16 turnovers are holding him back from being truly considered as a top five QB, but both his expected points added (EPA) per dropback (0.14, eighth-best in the NFL) and passer rating (102.0, fifth-best in the NFL) have him locked into the top 10.”
McCarthy outpaced Philip Rivers, Shedeur Sanders, Gardner Minshew, Brady Cook, Kenny Pickett, and Quinn Ewers on the CBS Sports list. Seventh-worst is better than absolute worst, rest assured.
You must be logged in to post a comment.