JJ McCarthy, Vikings
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Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy
There’s no denying that Vikings’ QB J.J. McCarthy has had bountiful struggles already in his young NFL career.
Including playoffs, McCarthy has only been available for 10 of a total 35 games. That looks even worse when he failed to finish two of them (@NYG, vs. GB in 2025).
Compounding on the unavailability thus far in his career. the play in his appearances has been concerning. Consider McCarthy’s advanced metrics in 2025.
Lowest completion percentage (57.6%)
Lowest average yardage per attempt (5.4yds)
Lowest passer rating (72.6)
Lowest adjusted net yardage per pass attempt (4.3yds)
Lowest on-target percentage (66.5%)
2nd-lowest passing success rate (41.1%)
2nd-lowest pass yards per game of any QB that started at least 10 games (163.2yds)
3rd-lowest QBR (35.6)
5th-lowest net yards per pass attempt (5.49yds)
6th-lowest pressure-to-sack rate (23.5%)
8th-lowest overall QB PFF grade (61.8)
8th-lowest PFF passing grade (60.1)
Most interceptions of any QB that played 10 games or less (12)
2nd-highest bad-throw percentage (21.3%)
This was concerning enough for the Vikings to feel the need to sign Kyler Murray in free agency. However, there are still supportive people in J.J. McCarthy’s jury, such as former Michigan teammate and current Los Angeles Ram Blake Corum.
Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy Gets Big Defense from Blake Corum
Vikings J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum
GettyANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 09: Blake Corum #2 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates a first half touchdown with J.J. McCarthy #9 while playing the UNLV Rebels at Michigan Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Bobby Kownack, digital content producer for NFL.com recently shared some words of affirmation for McCarthy spoken by Corum.
“The ceiling is so high for J.J. You’ve got to think, his rookie year, he went down with the injury. Last year, he had a bunch of injuries, as well, so he hasn’t been on the field much. He hasn’t really had a lot of playing time that quarterbacks need.
It’s a lot different going from college to the NFL. J.J. is a field general. I think he’s going to take the challenge that they’ve given him, obviously bringing in Kyler Murray, there’s gonna be a competition. That’s going to light a fire under him. But he’s just an overall good human being. He’s a competitor.”
Corum, a Michigan teammate of McCarthy for 3 seasons, didn’t end his defense there.
“I know he’s no someone who’s going to let naysayers or outsiders determine the type of player he’s going to be. He still has the pencil in his own hand. He’s still writing his story. I think this is going to be a great year for J.J., and I’m super excited to see him prove everyone wrong.”
J.J. McCarthy’s Story Isn’t Finished Yet
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the first quarter in the game against the Baltimore Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
In technical terms, just because Kyler Murray is a Viking, it doesn’t mean the Twin Cities have seen the last of J.J. McCarthy on the field.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell has been very vocal in claiming there to be a true competition this offseason for the starting QB job. While it’s quite unlikely to think it’s a competition that McCarthy would win, there is a technical non-zero chance he wins the job that was supposed to be his to begin with.