The J.J. McCarthy Controversy Dies Hard
The fake drama about Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s weight didn’t last long, and now it is dead.
The J.J. McCarthy Controversy Dies Hard
Unsurprisingly, the whole thing was a total nothingburger.
Within the last few weeks, some media voices speculated that McCarthy’s weight loss during his torn meniscus recovery might be a cause for concern. He reportedly dipped under 200 pounds — when an NFL quarterback of his height should be closer to 220.
But Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling tweeted Tuesday, “Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is back over 200 pounds, as he continues his return from his meniscus surgery in August. He could be a regular participant in the team’s offseason program when it starts in April.”
Goessling added that McCarthy is “approaching his pre-draft weight of 218 pounds now that he’s resumed strength training after his rehab.”
So, like fake Justin Jefferson trade rumors last year or bogus Kevin O’Connell trade theories this year, McCarthy’s weight will fall on the ash heap of failed conspiratorial thinking. Surprise, surprise.
Where did this weight kerfuffle come from? Two weeks ago, Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora wrote, “Sam Darnold’s brutal play in Week 18 and the playoffs had many writing him off in Minnesota. Not so fast. Several executives from QB-needy teams, who would have at least some interest in Darnold, suggested he’s not going anywhere. I hear that J.J. McCarthy, who lost his entire rookie year to injury, still has significant work to do to rebuild his body, let alone adjust to the NFL.”
It’s not unusual for an NFL player’s weight to fluctuate — up or down — during an injury recovery, and it’s not like the regular season kicked off in mid-February. McCarthy has plenty of time — like six months — to return to form.
Naturally, folks used social media to express befuddlement about McCarthy’s weight, deeming it a possible concern.
In November, McCarthy underwent a second procedure on his knee to reduce some swelling, prompting NFL media to call the event “another surgery.” That made McCarthy’s recovery sound like it encountered a setback. In reality, McCarthy is trending to return on a standard meniscus recovery timeline, and the fears of a “second surgery” were also a nothingburger.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero wrote on Super Bowl Sunday, “McCarthy, who had a full repair of his torn meniscus in August and an additional procedure in November, is expected to begin football drills in the next few weeks and should be ready to roll by OTAs in May.”
McCarthy is fully on track to be ready for spring — all strange theories be damned.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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