There’s Another Fake J.J. McCarthy Controversy
NFL-themed media has enjoyed spitballing J.J. McCarthy trade theories this offseason, mainly because some don’t believe the Minnesota Vikings will let Sam Darnold walk away this offseason.
There’s Another Fake J.J. McCarthy Controversy
Minnesota drafted McCarthy with the 10th overall pick last April, but the young passer tore his meniscus 3.5 months later, ending his rookie campaign and instantly nominating Darnold as the 2024 QB1.
Darnold later delivered a wonderful season, with 36 total touchdowns and 4,319 passing yards. He, however, floundered in the season’s final two games, enough to convince Vikings fans that McCarthy, not Darnold, should be the future QB1 as early as 2025.
Well, in addition to zany trade theories, there’s another faux McCarthy controversy: he’s lost so much weight while rehabbing the meniscus that he isn’t NFL-ready.
Washington Post‘s Jason La Canfora wrote last week, “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 kicks off this weekend. 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.
La Canfora also quoted an anonymous NFL executive who said the Vikings would keep Darnold accordingly this offseason: “Darnold will get the transition tag. It just makes too much sense … Owners don’t like to sign guys to offer sheets, and if they do, Minnesota can string it out for five days deciding to match, and what if the other quarterbacks are gone by the time they decide? Can you really take that risk in March?”
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 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 on track to return per usual, and being 20 pounds lighter than his typical playing weight is fairly standard for a season-long recovery.
Like most McCarthy controversies, this one is no big deal.
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 Vikings 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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