J.J. McCarthy's first official game as a starting NFL quarterback was an overall success. On Monday, he completed 13 of 20 passing attempts for 143 yards, two touchdown passes and one interception, and he also added a rushing touchdown as his Minnesota Vikings outlasted the Chicago Bears, 27-24.
Granted, it wasn't a great performance, and it is too early to declare him the second coming of Fran Tarkenton. But it was a promising outing that started to justify the team's decision to let Kirk Cousins leave in the 2024 offseason and allow Sam Darnold to head to Seattle this spring.
Legendary NFL QB Tom Brady went on "The Herd w/ Colin Cowherd" on Thursday and talked about McCarthy's first outing as a starter. Cowherd compared McCarthy to Tampa Bay Buccaneers star QB Baker Mayfield, and Brady agreed.
"I absolutely love it when I see the emotion," Brady said. "I think it brings you to a higher level of focus. Stands in there, takes a hit, and makes a great throw.
"I love that aspect of his game," Brady said. "He's just got to keep that going for a long time. I believe that is part of your conditioning, and that ability to elevate your teammates as well in those big moments and I love seeing that from a Michigan man."
McCarthy, like Brady, played at the University of Michigan, and he led the Wolverines to a win in the College Football Playoff National Championship game in January 2024. Overall, he threw for 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns while completing 72.3% of his pass attempts during the 2023 season.
But he played in a run-heavy system at Michigan under then-head coach Jim Harbaugh. There have been questions about whether McCarthy, who was the No. 10 pick in last year's draft, could thrive in the pass-happy NFL.
Even though the Vikings have two capable running backs in Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, they're definitely a pass-happy team. They boast arguably the game's best wide receiver in Justin Jefferson, as well as excellent supporting options in wideouts Jordan Addison and Adam Thielen, and tight end T.J. Hockenson.
They play in a tough NFC North division that includes the Detroit Lions, who are once again one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl, and the Green Bay Packers, who have been reinvigorated by the acquisition of star edge rusher Micah Parsons.
But if McCarthy proves to be worthy of being a top-10 draft pick, Minnesota should be able to compete well with both Detroit and Green Bay, as well as the NFL's other contenders.
For more on the Vikings and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Related Articles
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.