Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has had an up-and-down start to training camp. The Year 2 QB flashed early but has reportedly had a rough few practices against an imposing defense early in training camp. The young QB described them as learning moments against a D that hasn't given him many easy throws or clean pockets.
"Honestly, constant improvement," McCarthy said on Wednesday, via The Minnesota Star Tribune. "Learning every single day and when the periods don't go your way, you're always asking why. It's never a loss. You're always learning from it. ... Those periods where they really get you, I feel like that's where we learn the most about ourselves and our offense."
The Vikings defense, which can make veteran quarterbacks wet themselves at times, has reportedly been in McCarthy's face quite a bit the past several practices. In Tuesday's red-zone session, the QB struggled, completing a reported 3 of 11 attempts in the restricted area.
"Missing by inches," McCarthy said of the red-zone drill. "That's what happens when you're down in the red zone. You got to be detail-oriented and really specific with where you're putting the ball. But there were a lot of good things on tape ... just more great reps to put under my belt."
It must be noted that we're just over a week into training camp, Justin Jefferson isn't practicing, and star left tackle Christian Darrisaw is just returning from an ACL tear. Overreacting to a few practices is a fool's errand. This is the time of year for growing and learning, particularly for a player who missed all of last season.
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy chasing 'constant improvement' during rough patches in training camp
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Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy chasing 'constant improvement' during rough patches in training camp
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VikingLord
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Re: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy chasing 'constant improvement' during rough patches in training camp
Normally I'd take McCarthy's comments about improving with a grain of salt. He's supposed to say things like this, and him saying things like this doesn't mean anything in terms of what we can expect to see from him when the plays matter.
But, I think the circumstances of where McCarthy is in his development make his comments a little more meaningful, mostly because Brian Flores is known for creating defensive schemes that can mess with even the most experienced QB's head. He lines guys up in unorthodox ways and assigns them to post-snap responsibilities that apparently are unexpected and sometimes he hasn't put on film before. He puts his players in positions where they can succeed and play to their strengths as well, so if there is a chink in the offense's armor, be that the offensive line play, predictable play calling, or QB pre- and post-snap tells, Brian Flores is going to expose those.
And so here is JJ McCarthy who sat out the prior season watching and learning and now he is out on the field seeing if what he learned is going to help him succeed against a defensive scheme that will expose any of his shortcomings. By all accounts that defense has found ways to frustrate McCarthy, but McCarthy has also shown some ability to deal with it effectively. To me, that is very encouraging. Sam Howell, on the other hand, has looked slow reading it and late reacting to it despite being the veteran QB who has had starting experience in the pros. Now that could just be Sam Howell at this point in his career, but so far Flores' defense has made Howell look like the rookie and McCarthy look like the starter. For a Vikings fan who has waited a long time to see a young QB emerge as a legit starting prospect at the position, this is very encouraging.
I'm honestly excited about this year's team. The defense seems hungry. They should be better up front than last year's team. The secondary remains a question mark but all things considered it would be hard for that unit to be worse than last year's secondary, so even there I am optimistic.
But the offense is what excites me. Sam Darnold may not have been the long-term answer at QB for the Vikings, but when he was out there slinging it last year it was clear the team has some real talent at the skill positions. This year's offensive line is better, the skill positions are just as deep, if not deeper, and if McCarthy is the real deal and can run the offense and make plays, I see no reason why the 2025 Vikings can't be every bit as successful in the regular season as the Sam Darnold-led 2024 Vikings were. It's hard to be better than a 14 win team, but I'm pretty optimistic this team can be as good or better.
But, I think the circumstances of where McCarthy is in his development make his comments a little more meaningful, mostly because Brian Flores is known for creating defensive schemes that can mess with even the most experienced QB's head. He lines guys up in unorthodox ways and assigns them to post-snap responsibilities that apparently are unexpected and sometimes he hasn't put on film before. He puts his players in positions where they can succeed and play to their strengths as well, so if there is a chink in the offense's armor, be that the offensive line play, predictable play calling, or QB pre- and post-snap tells, Brian Flores is going to expose those.
And so here is JJ McCarthy who sat out the prior season watching and learning and now he is out on the field seeing if what he learned is going to help him succeed against a defensive scheme that will expose any of his shortcomings. By all accounts that defense has found ways to frustrate McCarthy, but McCarthy has also shown some ability to deal with it effectively. To me, that is very encouraging. Sam Howell, on the other hand, has looked slow reading it and late reacting to it despite being the veteran QB who has had starting experience in the pros. Now that could just be Sam Howell at this point in his career, but so far Flores' defense has made Howell look like the rookie and McCarthy look like the starter. For a Vikings fan who has waited a long time to see a young QB emerge as a legit starting prospect at the position, this is very encouraging.
I'm honestly excited about this year's team. The defense seems hungry. They should be better up front than last year's team. The secondary remains a question mark but all things considered it would be hard for that unit to be worse than last year's secondary, so even there I am optimistic.
But the offense is what excites me. Sam Darnold may not have been the long-term answer at QB for the Vikings, but when he was out there slinging it last year it was clear the team has some real talent at the skill positions. This year's offensive line is better, the skill positions are just as deep, if not deeper, and if McCarthy is the real deal and can run the offense and make plays, I see no reason why the 2025 Vikings can't be every bit as successful in the regular season as the Sam Darnold-led 2024 Vikings were. It's hard to be better than a 14 win team, but I'm pretty optimistic this team can be as good or better.
Re: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy chasing 'constant improvement' during rough patches in training camp
I think its very likely a better team, with a lesser record.
