J.J. McCarthy has failed to translate his college football brilliance into the NFL. The quarterback missed his entire rookie season after he was drafted at No. 10 by the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. His second season was disappointing.
NFL analyst Greg Cosell blamed Jim Harbaugh, McCarthy’s coach during his time with the Michigan Wolverines, for his struggles at the pro level.
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“I think he struggles with what he sees. I think he struggles with accuracy,” Cosell said on Tuesday on the “Ross Tucker Podcast.” “I think he has a tendency to play fast, which tells you that he’s not getting the clarity that you need to play the position. Some of that can come with just more experience.
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“Don’t forget, he was not asked in Michigan to really be in an offense where the passing game was the foundation. He does throw a good ball. I always thought that he had some issues with how he threw, which sometimes limited his velocity. This is a mechanical and fundamental thing.”
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McCarthy led the Wolverines (15-0, 9-0 Big Ten) to an undefeated season in 2023, throwing for 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns. He breached the 2,700-passing yard mark in his final two years with the program. However, the quarterback posted just 1,632 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games in his second season with the Vikings.
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J.J. McCarthy’s future in Minnesota after Kyler Murray’s arrival
The Minnesota Vikings signed Kyler Murray to a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal on Friday, leaving J.J. McCarthy’s future in turmoil. The Vikings’ stance is that they will compete for the QB1 spot throughout training camp. However, insiders are skeptical about a true 50/50 split.
McCarthy is coming off a rocky 2025 season, going 6-4 in 10 starts but missed time with a high-ankle sprain and a concussion. His name is being floated in legitimate trade discussions. The most talked-about rumor involves a reunion with Jim Harbaugh and the LAChargers. The Pittsburgh Steelers have also been named as a potential landing spot.
Since Arizona is paying $35.5 million of Murray’s 2026 salary, Minnesota landed a two-time Pro Bowler for $1.3 million. However, the move also suggests that the front office has grown impatient with McCarthy’s injury history and inconsistency in his first two years.
Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez
