The Minnesota Vikings selected quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. When they took him, the expectation was that he would be the quarterback of the future.
As OTAs have evolved into phase three, we are seeing more and more videos of McCarthy throwing the ball and practicing with the team. That has led to people starting to be concerned with his development.
Yes, they are concerned with a rookie's development after less than a month.
McCarthy was rotating in as the third quarterback, sharing time there with second-year player Jaren Hall, who the Vikings took in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Now, this practice was on May 21st, less than a month after he was selected 10th overall by the Vikings.
Should the Vikings be concerned with J.J. McCarthy?
The answer is a flat-out no.
Now, there are some things to be mindful of when it comes to the level of concern you should have.
McCarthy is working on mechanics
There are going to be bad passes when working on your mechanics. Think about it like you are right handed and are learning to write with your left hand. It's a tough adjustment since you had so many reps writing with your right hand, but you will get the hang of it after a few weeks. The same goes for a quarterback adjusting their mechanics, whether it be footwork or upper body.
There will be misses
There are going to be misses in practice. McCarthy is still learning a lot about both the offense and his teammates. That is going to take time for him to grow and develop. Now, if he's still struggling with the offense come August, then we should raise a small red flag.
However, timing comes from both you and the wide receiver being in-sync. That alone takes time to develop. McCarthy needs to build that up, as it doesn't come overnight.
Be patient
McCarthy is a rookie quarterback who doesn't have a lot of tread on the tires. He needs that time to develop and grow. First round picks often need up to a year to learn and develop, which likely will help McCarthy in the long run.
If he misses a pass here and there, it's okay. Don't fret. It doesn't mean he's going to be QB3 forever. He likely starts at QB2 once the season starts.
