Vikings QB Smacked with Worst Grade Possible
The NFL world doesn’t quite know what to make of Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy right now, and no better evidence exists than CBS Sports‘ grading system this week.
J.J. McCarthy is on the shelf right now, but that didn’t stop CBS Sports from delivering a scathing critique of the Vikings QB this week.
That outfit graded every notable quarterback on a rookie contract this week, and for McCarthy, an ‘F’ bubbled to the surface.
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Assigned a Brutal ‘F’ Grade
McCarthy has a long way to go in the court of public opinion.
CBS Sports Gives J.J. McCarthy’ F’ Grade
Mike Renner stepped up to the plate this week, handing out his grades to quarterbacks on rookie contracts.
McCarthy ranked dead last, and Renner explained, “There’s very little sugarcoating it: J.J. McCarthy didn’t look ready for the bright lights in his first two starts. Among starting quarterbacks, McCarthy has the lowest EPA/play, second-worst turnover-worthy play rate and third-worst completion percentage over expectation.”
“Outside of a couple throws down the stretch in the Vikings’ comeback win over the Bears, there’s been very little for McCarthy to hang his hat on. Unlike everyone else on this list, though, those were McCarthy’s first two career starts, and it can only get better from here. Grade F.”
The grade couldn’t possibly be worse.
A Brutal Assessment
McCarthy can’t catch a break in the last week, with some of the Vikings fan base souring on him completely, which was not helped, for McCarthy’s sake, by Carson Wentz guiding Minnesota to a 48-10 win in Week 4 without him.
The youngster missed his rookie season with a torn meniscus, struggled in his second start of 2025, sprained his ankle, and sites like CBS Sports are flinging Fs in his direction.
It’s the life of an NFL quarterback who didn’t set the world on fire, aside from, you know, his first career start when he did set the world on fire with a 4th Quarter comeback against the Chicago Bears.
McCarthy on the Shelf for the Time Being
Now, with Fs flying everywhere, McCarthy must bide his time for a return to the Vikings lineup, probably in Week 7 or so after the team’s bye.
His sprain affected the high ankle, and those injuries linger. The same injury recently beset Dallas Cowboys wideout CeeDee Lamb, and Lamb will miss multiple weeks. In 2023, former Vikings outside linebacker Marcus Davenport suffered a high ankle sprain early in the season and was never seen again.
So, when McCarthy returns to showtime, he’ll have many naysayers to disprove, including Renner.
Chance to Prove the World Wrong before Too Long
McCarthy will need several competent performances, ideally in a row, to swat away the narrative regarding his unpreparedness. To reiterate, the memory of his 4th Quarter comeback has been totally placed on the backburner in some fans’ minds, shifting to a firm “What have you done for me lately?” mantra.
Meanwhile, Minnesota possesses a Super Bowl-caliber depth chart in the eyes of most onlookers, and to squander that talent with a quarterback who is an ‘F’ performer just won’t fly.
Some have even mentioned that the Vikings should roll with Carson Wentz instead of McCarthy, though it seems unlikely that the coaching staff will agree after sermonizing on quarterback development and patience amid the last six months.
When McCarthy returns, he must nudge his so-called grade to at least a ‘C’ range, and hopefully higher.
Drake Maye Leads the Pack
Renner handed New England Patriots passer Drake Maye the highest grade, a B, and noted, ‘It may surprise you to learn, given the ineptitude of the Patriots offense as a whole this season, that Drake Maye is actually eighth among starting quarterbacks in EPA/dropback this season.”
“His ability to create from tight pockets has shone through on numerous occasions already. While Maye has struggled with overthrows, holding onto the football and risky attempts, he’s still completing 72.6% of his passes without much help from his receiving corps. The Patriots wideouts are still amongst the worst I’ve seen in the NFL this season with no true one-on-one winner in the mix.”
Maye was heavily linked to Minnesota during the 2024 draft lead-up process.
Renner added, “It’s why Hunter Henry leads them in every statistical receiving category despite Maye hailing from a college offense that barely played a tight end. There’s just no one else Maye can rely on. It also hasn’t helped that the Patriots have the league-worst rushing attack in EPA/play, giving the passing game unfavorable down and distances.”
“With how much youth is surrounding Maye still, the offensive turnaround might be a multi-year process.”
McCarthy ranks near the bottom of the NFL in nearly all credible quarterback metrics.
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