An Initial Glimpse into How J.J. McCarthy Impacts the Vikings’ Roster
K. Joudry
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Using a 1st-round selection on a player suggests that there’s huge belief in that person’s potential. What about making a trade up in the 1st for a player?
Admittedly, the move up for J.J. McCarthy wasn’t earth shattering, but the idea still stands.
Mike Garofolo was among the first to break the news, relaying that the Vikings shipped out No. 11, No. 129, and No. 157 in exchange for No. 10 and No. 203. Doing so allowed Minnesota to scoop up Mr. McCarthy, who is presently Minnesota’s backup QB but who can become the franchise quarterback.
How J.J. McCarthy Impacts the Vikings’ Roster
Sam Darnold is the QB1. The 2024 NFL Draft didn’t change that reality.
McCarthy, though, is going to be the QB2. The young quarterback offers some excellent athleticism and accuracy. The basic thinking is that sitting behind Mr. Darnold — who was chosen at No. 3 back in 2018 — will let the Michigan passer reach his full potential down the road. Don’t forget: McCarthy is only 21.
Meanwhile, a pair of players just got demoted. Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall are now sitting in a tough spot.
Begin with the veteran.
Mullens is a great backup QB. He plays with a ton of grit and competitiveness. His willingness to give his playmakers a shot down the field is admirable, leading to some tremendous moments. The great flaw for Mullens is that he struggles to take care of the football. A major reason why Minnesota lost ten games in 2023 is because of being unable to retain possession of the ball.
Hall has more job security.
The 26-year-old sophomore passer has some similarities to McCarthy. Both are a bit undersized and both move well. Toss in some praise for being accurate and it’s easy to foresee a future where Minnesota builds an offense around what J.J. McCarthy and Jaren Hall do well.
Now, nothing is guaranteed as of right now for Hall. A central irony behind Kirk Cousins’ departure is that it actually made Mullens’ and Hall’s claim on the roster less secure. Losing the long-time QB1 has prompted Minnesota to totally overhaul its QB room, meaning Hall needs to earn the job of being the long-term backup.
Finally, one thinks of Justin Jefferson.
The reigning theory is that the Vikings are going to leverage the savings from a rookie QB’s deal to help finance the expenses elsewhere. Primarily, that means Jefferson. So, too, does it point toward being able to afford Christian Darrisaw and several others, as well.
For the fifth time in team history, the Vikings have drafted a quarterback in the 1st. Even still, J.J. McCarthy is likely to spend most of the season as a backup. If, however, he shines early, then there’s a small chance he starts sooner rather than later.
The Vikings Are “More Likely” to Pick at Nos. 11 and 23 Rather than Trade, Says One Insider
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.