A 3-Time Pro Bowler Has Something to Say About the Vikings and J.J. McCarthy
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy just hasn’t turned the developmental corner in 2025, not maturing on the normal schedule for a young quarterback, leaving his team with a 4-7 record by Thanksgiving and basically out of the postseason hunt sooner than most expected.
Taylor Lewan, a 3-time Pro Bowler, has something to say about the Minnesota Vikings and J.J. McCarthy as the team’s QB outlook continues to evolve.
Fans are frustrated, but one three-time Pro Bowler, former offensive lineman Taylor Lewan, preached patience on Sunday — a rare voice among others searching for quarterback contingency plans.
Taylor Lewan Preaches Patience for Vikings + J.J. McCarthy
While the Vikings are the butt of jokes, Lewan has a different take.
Lewan Cautions Patience
Now a member of FanDuel‘s Bussin with the Boys podcast, Lewan maintains a high profile in sports media.
After observing McCarthy’s meltdown in Wisconsin, Lewan tweeted Sunday, “Vikings fans are in a tough spot right now, but if this season has shown us anything, it’s that this league has a development and patience problem. You’ve got a proven coach who knows how to develop players, now you’ve got to be patient with JJ and sit with the frustrations that come with growth.”
“He needs time, more time than you probably want to give, but he’s shown enough flashes to believe he can be special. I believe Kevin O’Connell will get him right, and that we’ll see a completely different player next season.”
On a day when McCarthy played so terribly, Lewan’s tweet served as one of the few that still preached patience.
A Rare Face in the Crowd
Even the most devout McCarthyites have realized after Week 12 that he has not turned the corner into a developing quarterback.
Through six games, McCarthy has posted some of the worst efficiency numbers known to mankind when compared to all other historical passers through six games. McCarthy is not developing at the moment; development entails tiny bits of progress. There are none.
So, after another McCarthy doozy at Lambeau Field, most Vikings have begun to dread the “bust” reality.
Lewan dialed that back a bit.
How Patient Can the Vikings Be?
One must wonder: how long will the Vikings trot McCarthy out each week, virtually assured of the same outcome? The club has 53 players ready to win, and the most visible character, McCarthy, has not provided a chance, aside from some bizarre clutch moments.
(Note: the Monday update about J.J. McCarthy being in the concussion protocol does make the outlook trickier. Minnesota is now forced to ensure he gets healthy. Once he is, there can then be a decision about the way forward as it relates to playing time).
Lewan is right that every young quarterback requires time to blossom, but can head coach Kevin O’Connell keep inserting one of the worst statistical performers in NFL history every week?
At what point would Minnesota pull the plug and revisit McCarthy on a rainy day?
Six Games to Show Growth
Suppose the Vikings remain loyal to McCarthy through hell and high water. The 22-year-old has six more games to show … something. Anything at all — like pass completions.
One good throw per game means nothing. McCarthy even had a sweet pass to Justin Jefferson last weekend. It doesn’t matter if a single good throw is the best-case scenario. A varsity high school quarterback could probably get one good throw off in the NFL in 30 tries.
If Lewan is correct, and if the Vikings cling to McCarthy in the final six games, McCarthy must show signs of life. There’s no other alternative. The end of his contract’s second year is approaching. He should be much further along.
More McCarthy Takes
Zone Coverage‘s Tom Schreier wrote after the loss to Green Bay, “McCarthy appears to be healthy after a meniscus tear ended his rookie year before it started, and a high ankle sprain kept him out from Weeks 3 through 8. While McCarthy is healthy now, his lack of development time likely affected his mechanics, leading to inaccurate passes.”
“The Vikings are headed to the Pacific Northwest next week. Minnesota entered the season with championship aspirations and will finish it focused on McCarthy’s development. People are already openly speculating about whether the Vikings chose the wrong quarterback between McCarthy, Darnold, and Daniel Jones. Darnold looks like a franchise quarterback in Seattle, and Jones is 8-3 with the Indianapolis Colts this year.”
There is very little optimism in the Vikings’ orbit, evidenced by Schreier’s musings.
“Minnesota also could have tanked for Drake Maye in 2023, and he’s looking like a franchise quarterback with the New England Patriots. Meanwhile, McCarthy is 2-4 as a starter and barely completing half his passes. Minnesota’s experiment of putting the league’s starting youngest quarterback under center and trying to contend has failed,” he continued.
“The rest of the season will be about whether McCarthy just needs to master the finer details of the position to succeed, or if they went with the wrong quarterback in the offseason.”
Nevertheless, Lewan believes there’s something there. Give it time, he says.
You must be logged in to post a comment.