When the Minnesota Vikings selected former Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they obviously hoped that he would be able to take over as their starting quarterback immediately, especially with the departure of former starter Kirk Cousins. But it sounds like they’re also going to be patient with him as he develops.
During a recent press conference, Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown made it clear that the team has to strike a balance between wanting J.J. McCarthy to succeed now and understanding that he is still growing into the role and is not a finished product just yet.
“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.
“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.”
It will certainly be interesting to see how McCarthy performs this year.
