For the previous six seasons, the Minnesota Vikings were blessed with the ease of mind that comes with having a veteran quarterback like Kirk Cousins. They’re quickly adjusting their expectations to life with a rookie quarterback during his first practice with the team in OTAs.
The Vikings expect their selection with the No. 11 pick, J.J. McCarthy, to compete with Sam Darnold for the starting spot this fall. However, McCarthy is experiencing the growing pains that come with being a rookie signal caller in the NFL.
J.J. McCarthy impressed during the pre-draft process
Per a transcription by Myles Simmons of NBC Sports of Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown’s comments on Wednesday, Minnesota knew McCarthy was an “A-plus” in the pre-draft meeting room:
“Then when we went back for the private workout, just the meeting-room time — you could tell he’s been very well coached and his retention on the plays and materials we gave him and asked him to talk through was spot on. He was A-plus in that regard,” McCown said…
“That was encouraging as well. But I’d say the classroom more than anything and his personal ability with — you’re sitting in a classroom with a bunch of coaches, it can be intimidating as a young player. And he held his own, both intellectually on the board and then relationally and emotionally.”
The Minnesota Vikings have a “growth mindset” for McCarthy
Multiple reports from rookie minicamps and OTAs show that McCarthy has much to learn about quarterbacking in the league. McCown said the Vikings are trying to maintain a “growth mindset” in Year 1 as he adjusts to confusing things like hashmarks being more narrow in the NFL than they were in college:
“We have to strike it perfectly and ultimately maintain a growth mindset with him,” McCown said. “We want him to perform well every snap that he gets. But every snap that he gets, a lot of these things are his first snap at some of these looks and some of these throws.
And just the things that you get asked to do in the pros across every organization is different than what you’re asked to do in college. I mean, the hashes are different. So, so many of these things are new and first time for him.
The Minnesota Vikings need J.J. McCarthy to grow up fast
The Vikings still need McCarthy to mature quickly. The Vikings had a cluster of quarterback injuries last season, so the odds he plays this season are high, even if Darnold starts the season. McCown said the Vikings are trying to find a “balance” between helping McCarthy grow, but also expecting the rookie not to harm the entire offense in the process:
“And so, you understand those things, you frame them properly as he grows through it. But always expecting a level of production and a level of execution that doesn’t step back from what our group is as a whole. So, you’re always striking that balance. But ultimately I think taking a growth mindset with him and looking at everything as what it is here in Year 1.”
McCown’s comments don’t appear flattering on where McCarthy is before mandatory OTAs in June. When they drafted him, the Vikings probably knew McCarthy would be a project quarterback. However, McCarthy will have to acclimate to the NFL faster than his draft colleague Michael Penix Jr. There’s no Cousins to start this season in Minnesota while McCarthy learns the hashes.
