First let me say that I'm all in with the decision to start McCarthy, and I really believe he's going to do well under the "QB whisperer."
But I'd like to ask you your opinion about his throwing technique where he lifts his right leg laterally to get the ball down the field. Usually when that happens, you lose velocity and accuracy.
— Juan Guiterrez
While reviewing the Vikings '25 schedule I couldn't help but notice that J.J. McCarthy will be squaring off against FOUR of his fellow QB draftmates from the first round of 2024: Caleb Williams No. 1, Weeks 1 and 11; Jayden Daniels No. 2, Week 14; Drake Maye No. 3, Week 2 Preseason; and Michael Penix, Jr., No. 8, Week 2. Had Denver not been edged out by the Chargers for second place in the AFC West, J.J. would be up against Bo Nix as well. What are the odds, eh? By the end of this coming season, we're going to know how our guy J.J. stacks up.
— Dan in NW Arkansas
I appreciate Juan's question, but I'll readily admit I'm not a well-versed technician and certainly not a QB whisperer like O'Connell, who has built a staff of assistants with deep knowledge of the position.
What I do have is a more casual assessment my eyes have offered of multiple quarterbacks over the years. We also have the opportunity to process what teammates on offense and defense are saying when they compare McCarthy to past teammates or coaches.
I've enjoyed the vantage point of seeing McCarthy spin passes and have enough juice to fit footballs into tight windows, which can lead to some high-reward opportunities but can prove risky if the ball slows down to give defenders time to recover.
There were multiple moments this offseason where it seemed like defenders were making a break on the ball only to have it result in a catch by the offensive player. Body language after plays provided a hint they were a little surprised they didn't get to the ball to break it up. There also were some parts of practice where defenders did not challenge at the catch point (O'Connell again prioritizing health and safety).
It seems Joshua Metellus, who is an exceptional communicator, was misunderstood last week when he offered a comparison between McCarthy and former Vikings backup QB Sean Mannion that was related to the zip that each can put on the football. Social media isn't always the best place for nuance. Neither is national sports talk programming where people provide opinions, regardless of how they've been formed, but my eyes know what Metellus meant.
Multiple people talked about Mannion's arm strength during his two stints with Minnesota. Metellus and Justin Jefferson, who are both more qualified than me, both talked about the zip McCarthy has, which also was evidence when his velocity was reportedly tracked at 61 mph.
"The velocity on the ball and the spin on the ball, you know, he has a tight spin," Jefferson said. "It definitely comes to you very quick — quicker than what you'd expect."
Throwing with touch can be quite important because it is so critical in providing receivers with catchable passes.
In 2011, which was my second season as a grad intern with the Titans, Tennessee signed veteran Matthew Hasselbeck (he turned 36 that September) and drafted Jake Locker, who was 23 at the time (and turned 37 yesterday — HBD, Jake) and had a cannon. Locker's passes reached receivers as what I call "heavy" footballs, and it seemed like pass catchers were really working to adjust to contrasts between Hasselbeck and Locker.
There were plenty of times when McCarthy delivered footballs on target (whether it was a stationary netted target or some of the NFL's most electric playmakers during the offseason.
Phillips said McCarthy is combining the arm strength with the ability to place certain passes with touch.
"You're seeing his ability to be able to layer some balls and throw some different types of balls, depending on, maybe you're throwing to a running back, maybe you're throwing to a tight end on a quick stick route, you know, something close to him, where you're seeing some of the touch, or just layering some balls on a really deep in cut, those types of things are starting to show up," Phillips said.
As for Dan's observation, that is quite the coincidence that four of the five other QBs drafted in the first round of 2024 will be on Minnesota's slate this season.
McCarthy, who grew up near Chicago, opening against Williams at Soldier Field on Monday Night Football seems "made for TV."
It will be really interesting to see how McCarthy stacks up against the other top picks, even if team success will hinge on more than just the quarterbacks. The preseason game against the Patriots also will include a pair of joint practices, which could be more important for McCarthy than taking reps in the exhibition contest.