ESPN Analyst Predicts Big Things for Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy

There are Minnesota Vikings fans and national-football pundits who are worried about J.J. McCarthy’s arm strength and tools as a starting quarterback.

But Dan Orlovsky is a believer.

The former NFL quarterback and ESPN commentator is all-in on McCarthy even though the second-year pro is still recuperating from a torn meniscus that cost him his entire rookie season.

McCarthy was the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft yet did injured his knee during training camp. Sam Darnold took the reins and quarterbacked the Vikings to the playoffs, but with him in Seattle, it is again McCarthy’s show at QB.

Why Does Dan Orlovsky Think J.J. McCarthy Will Be ‘Awesome’ This Season?

Orlovsky went so far as to say McCarthy would do something similar to what Darnold did last season, in part thanks to Minnesota’s exceptional offensive weapons — like Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison — and veritable quarterback whisperer coach Kevin O’Connell.

“I think he’s going to be awesome this year,” Orlovsky said on the “Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday. “Minnesota is the easiest place in the NFL this year. It’s as good of a roster as there is in the NFL, and if you combine it with scheme and play caller, Kevin O’Connell, a lot of guys would go to Minnesota and play good football.”

Vikings fans had better hope Orlovsky is right, since the team eschewed more veteran options like Aaron Rodgers, Darnold and ex-Vikings QB Kirk Cousins — the latter of which is available via trade.

But Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah recently referred to O’Connell and the Vikings system as “the best QB incubator in the league.” Plus, Orlovsky is confident he won’t try to play outside of his limitations.

“I think the skills that [McCarthy] has … the timing of the way he plays the position and how he was taught to play the position at Michigan is perfect for what is the necessary stuff playing that position in Minnesota,” Orlovsky said. “I think because of the offensive line and the people that they have, he’s going to play really well.”

Why Does J.J. McCarthy Match Up Well With The Vikings’ System?

McCarthy was something of a game manager at Michigan, since he threw just 713 passes in three seasons with the Wolverines — just 158 more throws than Michael Penix Jr had in his final season at the University of Washington.

But because the Michigan offense centered around run plays to Blake Corum, then play-action passes after the Wolverines established the run, Orlovsky feels much of McCarthy’s work this season will be similar to that in Ann Arbor.

“It’s not mandated [around the NFL] to be exceptional in turning your back to the defense, losing sight of the defense and then snapping my head back and trying to find what or who I’m looking at,” Orlovsky said. “That’s a skill set, and that’s something that takes hundreds of reps of getting comfortable doing that. He’s got that from his time at Michigan.

“So when Kevin O’Connell can dial up these play-action things, J.J. doesn’t have to think of ‘it’s a seven-step drop to my left, so it’s really an eight- or nine-step drop and when I do that I’ve got to flip my hips,’ it’s muscle memory for him.”