What to Make of J.J. McCarthy’s Week 1 Preseason Performance

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JJ McCarthy had an impressive showing in his first action with the Vikings, but what does that mean in the long run?
JJ McCarthy had an impressive showing in his first action with the Vikings, but what does that mean in the long run? Photo: Jeffrey Becker, USA Today Sports

We’ve all been eagerly awaiting the pro football premiere of J.J. McCarthy, a player who has stirred up quite a bit of debate among fans and analysts alike. If there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that McCarthy is a polarizing figure. Some critics have doubted his potential, pointing to his relatively modest yardage and touchdown totals during his college days at Michigan. They argue that he was merely a product of a run-first system and question whether he’s truly NFL material.

On the flip side, those who have followed McCarthy closely, particularly the Michigan faithful, have a different take. They see a quarterback whose efficiency was off the charts, a player who made the most of every opportunity when he was allowed to air it out. And in his Week 1 preseason debut with the Minnesota Vikings, McCarthy finally got his chance to show what he’s made of on the pro stage.

So, what did we see from J.J. in his first preseason action?

He came out looking sharp, making some solid throws that had Vikings fans on the edge of their seats. But then came the interception—a forced throw under pressure that was easily picked off by Las Vegas cornerback Jack Jones. It was the kind of mistake you’d expect from a rookie trying to prove himself, but instead of letting it rattle him, McCarthy came back out in the third quarter and put on a show. He threw two long, accurate touchdown passes, and mixed in a few shifty plays with his legs, showing the kind of athleticism and confidence that suggests he’s more than ready for the NFL.

Now, a skeptic might point out that these highlights came against backups in the second half of a preseason game. And while there’s some truth to that, it’s important to look at the bigger picture. McCarthy played 30 offensive snaps and, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), was the third-highest graded offensive player on the Vikings out of 34 who took snaps. The only two players graded higher than him? Both wide receivers that he threw the ball to, which says a lot about his overall impact on the offense. 

This isn’t just a one-off performance either. The efficiency and impressive numbers that McCarthy posted in college seem to be carrying over into the pros. And with the Vikings offense, he’ll likely get more opportunities to air it out, especially with Justin Jefferson as his primary target.

As things stand, it seems like the Vikings are leaning towards starting Sam Darnold in Week 1. But let’s be honest—if McCarthy continues to play with this level of confidence and poise, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him under center sooner rather than later. Of course, we don’t want to overreact and crown him the next great NFL quarterback based on one preseason game, but the signs are promising.

McCarthy will need to get used to the speed of the game at this level, and he’ll have to cut down on mistakes like the interception and near-fumble that could have turned into disaster. But if he can limit those errors, make strong decisions, and trust in his abilities, I believe J.J. McCarthy has the potential to be a great NFL quarterback.

So, what do we make of J.J. McCarthy’s Week 1 preseason performance? I’d say it’s a strong start—one that shows he’s ready for the moment and has the tools to succeed in this league. The road ahead won’t be easy, but if McCarthy continues to learn and grow, we might just be witnessing the beginning of something special.

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