Vikings Stand Behind J.J. McCarthy Despite Early-Career Struggles

It’s been a challenging start to Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s career.

McCarthy, selected No. 10 overall by the Vikings in the 2024 NFL Draft, went on to miss his rookie season with a knee injury. McCarthy has missed five games this season and has had his fair share of struggles when he’s been on the field.

J.J. McCarthy’s Season So Far

The Vikings, now 4-6, are 2-3 in McCarthy’s starts. McCarthy has thrown for six touchdowns and eight interceptions this season and has completed just 52.9% of his passes.

Per The Athletic, McCarthy’s 6.1% turnover-worthy play rate and 15.7% off-target rate rank last among all NFL starters. Most recently, McCarthy was 16-of-32 for 150 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in a 19-17 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Kevin O’Connell Evaluates McCarthy’s Struggles

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell thinks McCarthy is “made of the right stuff” and reiterated that he’s just five starts into his NFL career.

“He’s wildly capable of making the throws that present themselves,” O’Connell told the media on Monday.

O’Connell thinks that the solution to McCarthy’s accuracy woes is due to inconsistencies in his mechanics.

“We’re going to go back to work and continue to find every avenue, every way to try to help build the consistency to his mechanics,” O’Connell explained. “And then I just, I firmly believe the accuracy will come from that. It’s been tried and true and tested with other players and guys that have been on their journey before, and that’s what we’re going to keep working toward. And knowing he’s got what it takes to do some of the things he’s been able to do late in games and be at his best late in games, we just need to find a way to find that consistency early.”

Silver Linings For J.J. McCarthy

There are glimmers of hope for McCarthy, who’s had clutch moments late in games. McCarthy had a 16-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Addison that put Minnesota up 17-16 against the Bears with 50 seconds left in the game. If it wasn’t for Bears kicker Cairo Santos hitting a game-winning kick from 48 yards out with time expiring, McCarthy would have been the hero.

In their previous outing against the Bears in Week 1, a 27-24 Vikings win, McCarthy became the first quarterback to account for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter of an NFL debut along with the first to overcome a fourth-quarter deficit of at least 10 points in a debut and win since Steve Young did back in 1985. Despite glaring issues that need correcting, McCarthy has had a few shining moments through five starts.

Justin Jefferson And Jordan Addison Show Support For McCarthy

All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson, who was seen slamming his helmet down in frustration on Sunday, is supporting McCarthy and wants to develop a stronger rapport with him on and off the field.

“I have to be headfirst in leading us into the direction of winning, of being where it needs to be,” Jefferson said. “If that takes taking J.J. out and getting more time with him and creating that connection with him, that’s what I’ve got to do.”

Receiver Jordan Addison took accountability for his mistakes as well as those made by other wideouts in the loss to the Bears. The Vikings had five drops, two of which were by Addison, and one was by Jefferson.

“It’s on us,” Addison said. “He’s a young quarterback in this league. It’s a tough league to win. So, I feel like it’s on the supporting cast around him to help make this thing go.”

What’s Next For McCarthy And The Vikings

If Minnesota wants to make the playoffs this season, they’ll have to defy the odds. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, the Vikings have just a 5% chance of making the playoffs. The percentage could tick upward slightly with a win over the NFC North division rival Green Bay Packers (6-3-1) on Sunday. They’ll need a better performance from McCarthy and the entire Vikings offense if that’s to happen.

McCarthy went 27-1 as a starter for the Michigan Wolverines and won a national championship, the hope will be he can start a remarkable winning streak as a pro.