JJ McCarthy 'showing out' at Vikings training camp
![JJ McCarthy throws the ball at Vikings minicamp. JJ McCarthy throws the ball at Vikings minicamp.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_868,h_488,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/wolverine_digest/01j2d27c6n0cz89d1rvw.jpg)
It seemed like a foregone conclusion that veteran Sam Darnold would be the starting quarterback for the Vikings to open the season, but that belief is starting to shift. Rookie QB JJ McCarthy is reportedly catching fire during Vikings training camp, and it now sounds like there is a legitimate battle for that top spot in Minnesota.
JJ McCarthy has been SHOWING OUT at Vikings training camp š³
ā NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) July 31, 2024
McCarthy has reportedly been ācutting upā the Vikings first team defense.
And even had a red zone period where he scored 4 TDās on 5 drives.
Many NFL scouts reportedly believe McCarthy will be the āQB1ā by week one.ā¦ pic.twitter.com/Nj7EaSHjYL
J.J. McCarthy is on another HEATER again today #Vikings fans!
ā The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) July 30, 2024
Up and down with at least 5 TDs thrown so far š¤Æ
Practice isnāt even over. Wow! #Skol
pic.twitter.com/dDBLvdMc8v
In red zone 7-on-7ās, veteran QB Sam Darnold went 2/6 with 0 TDs š¬
ā The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) July 30, 2024
Meanwhile, rookie J.J. McCarthy went 4/6 with 4 TDās, per @SeanBormanNFL https://t.co/V9rVvVg7n0 pic.twitter.com/UHqcwxJ1Ur
There's no denying that McCarthy went through a bit of an adjustment period during the spring session, which is natural for a rookie QB. But McCarthy was a first-round selection for a reason, and all of those qualities that helped deliver a National Championship to Ann Arbor are now showing up in Minneapolis.
"Listen, I'm so excited about J.J. McCarthy," head caoch Kevin O'Connell said. "He's confirmed in every possible way what we had hoped and really proven in a lot of ways early on to be even more than we hoped from the standpoint of the type of person and player we brought in. That leads to the practice field where he gets to play against Brian Flores' defense every day and have a true learning environment right in front of our very eyes."
Although McCarthy's confidence seems to be growing by the day, O'Connell recently indicated that Darnold is still taking the bulk of the first-team reps.
"I'm always going to do whatever I think is best for the team to give us the best chance to win, while also understanding that the journey for a young quarterback in this league -- and I'm really talking about both Sam and J.J. McCarthy -- is really defined in a lot of ways by things outside of their control," O'Connell said. "I think we set up a plan to give both those guys a ton of reps throughout training camp. I did feel like Sam, through his work in the spring and where he's at in his career, earned the right to have the bulk of the first-team reps early on, but we've got a plan to get J.J. some reps as well."
Vikings fans have their first opportunity to see McCarthy in live game action on Aug. 10 at 4 pm, as Minnesota kicks off its preseason schedule against the Las Vegas Raiders in Minneapolis.
-Ā Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage onĀ Michigan Wolverines On SIĀ -
More Michigan News:
Wink Martindale on Michigan: 'We're never the hunted, we're always the hunters'
Michigan OC Kirk Campbell shares current QB pecking order entering fall camp
Wink Martindale shares which Michigan defender emerged with the 'first group' of starters