J.J. McCarthy Stock is at an All-Time Low, Meaning it’s Time to Buy the Vikings QB
Fewer and fewer J.J. McCarthy believers can be found in the Twin Cities (or around Minnesota more broadly). But while some cynicism is warranted — the play has been awful — there’s still good reason to continue believing.
In fact, I’m among the few to have increased confidence in McCarthy as December nears. To be sure, the on-field product has been a disaster, the kind of effort that should lead to getting benched. That outcome isn’t going to arrive since there’s no alternative that makes much sense. McCarthy may very well be brutal for the remainder of 2025, but he has demonstrated three abilities that suggest his stock will someday soar.
J.J. McCarthy Stock: 3 Reasons to Buy
Reason #1 — J.J. McCarthy Has All the Intangibles (and Talent)
Christian Ponder had impressive intangibles. He was even a good athlete. In the end, though, Ponder was a bust, someone equipped to be a solid backup but well short of being a franchise quarterback. The talent wasn’t there.
Similar things could be said of Teddy Bridgewater. Shrinking things down to just leadership would mean possessing an elite option in Mr. Bridgewater. Affable and charming, Bridgewater isn’t a great athlete and nor does he possess a rocket of an arm. Physically, he’s solid but unspectacular, someone who is a tremendous QB2 but not a weekly difference maker.
With McCarthy, there’s a similar ability to do and say all of the correct things. Nobody is questioning whether he works hard or cares. Just watching him can leave one with the impression that he relishes the chance to compete and has the capacity to lead his teammates. But then there’s an ability to really spin the ball alongside some impressive speed as a runner.
Usually, players who marry high-end talent with high-end intangibles are going to arrive at a positive future. That future has yet to arrive with McCarthy, but it’s going to get here before it’s all said and done.
Reason #2 — The Pocket Presence is Improving
Too often, youngsters lean on their legs when they should be working on becoming pocket passers.
J.J. McCarthy arguably needs to spend more time running. The man is wonderfully gifted as an athlete, so stealing a 1st down or two per game is to be coveted. The key there rests in protecting his body so that he doesn’t take any unnecessary shots. Sliding or running out of bounds is to be praised in a passer.
But while his legs can be a weapon, it’s encouraging to see that they’re not a crutch. He isn’t fading out of the back of the pocket, too spooked to hang in. He’s more than willing to get clobbered if it leads to making a play.
And, to his credit, the hits are decreasing. In Week 11, J.J. McCarthy didn’t get sacked a single time. The Baltimore game from Week 10 involved getting sacked a single time. Give credit to the o-line while understanding that McCarthy is doing better shuffling around the pocket, learning how to navigate the mosh pit that’s raging around him.
Reason #3 — The Man Can be Clutch
The Vikings’ special teams needed to be better on the final kickoff. No one can deny the idea even if it’s foolish to identify Matt Daniels’ crew as the culprit for the loss.
Prior to Vikings coverage players abandoning their lanes, J.J. McCarthy marched his side down the field for a score. Doing so momentarily tied the ball game before Will Reichard drilled an extra point to give Minnesota a narrow 17-16 lead.
Without a special teams gaffe, the conversation around Mr. McCarthy would be very different this week.
Consider, as well, that he was clutch in Week 1. His level of play was elite at Soldier Field within the final quarter, leading to an unlikely victory. So, too, did he demonstrate an it-factor when he de-fanged the Lions in Week 10 with the bullet pass to Jalen Nailor to earn a game-sealing 1st down.
Someday, J.J. McCarthy is going to become a consistently good quarterback. Partnering ongoing competence with an ability to elevate late in a game will make him lethal.
