Unexpected Star Could Light up Vikings Rookie Minicamp
The first time rookies are in action after the draft is at rookie minicamp, which usually takes place a week or two after their big day of transitioning from college kids to professional athletes. Vikings rookies will show up on Thursday at TCO Performance Center.
Unexpected Star Could Light up Vikings Rookie Minicamp
First-rounder Donovan Jackson should be there, just like all the other rookies, including undrafted players and those who want to try out and sneak onto the roster after an audition. The rookies will then unite with the veterans for the first time in the following week.
The Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling suspects presumed QB1 J.J. McCarthy could be present, too.
On Tuesday, Goessling told KFAN that he “wouldn’t be shocked” if McCarthy showed up.
It would be just a chance to bond with some teammates and get a few extra reps in. And if there’s one guy who is doing everything in his power to develop, it’s Minnesota’s number nine.
Shortly after his departure, safety Cam Bynum was asked about the young passer, and he praised his mentality on and off the field. “The one thing that stood out to me from him, as soon as he got in, he was throwing that ball. He was a gunslinger in practice. First and 10, simple concepts, he’s throwing the deep ball, he’s trying to fire it downfield. That’s something that I respected out of a rookie. Going forward after his injury, he’s sitting there in the defensive team meeting room, trying to learn our defense and trying to learn any way he can. He’s kind of a maniac when it comes to football.”
The signal-caller also addressed his intention to learn last week: “I’ve gotta win it myself every single day, win competition with myself. It’s putting your best body of work, my best body of work, out there. It comes with looking myself in the mirror every night. ‘Did I get better? I’ve got to do everything I can to make sure I’m the best version of myself come game day. Just put out that body of work, they’re going to see on a day-to-day basis. You know, show up. Be consistent, be dependable, be a true pro, and the rest will take care of itself.”
McCarthy’s rookie season was quite strange. He was drafted 10th overall, the highest-drafted quarterback in franchise history.
Most expected him to sit behind Sam Darnold for a while, but voices started to chirp the possibility of him challenging the veteran later in the preseason and training camp. His first preseason game started slowly but ended with some wonderful passes and ultimately 188 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns.
A couple of days later, the Vikings were forced to shut him down for a full season because of a torn meniscus that required the larger full repair, not the trim that would’ve given him a chance to return a few weeks later.
With a lost rookie season, McCarthy was in meetings and could study the playbook and opponents, but on-field work was a no-no.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said a couple of weeks ago, “The big thing is he’s done a phenomenal job with what I would really call invisible habits, invisible work that he’s done when really nobody’s been watching, in many ways, solidifying and finalizing his rehab, then on into a phase where he’s really been able to push it on the field from throws and working his technique and fundamentals. And then ultimately, you know, the mental side of it, as well.”
It’s quite easy to realize why Goessling can envision McCarthy showing up for extra work.
O’Connell continued: “He’s always working. And now he gets the ability to from day one, learn everything as we go through our installations multiple times this spring, and just the different checkpoints, I think the spring is set up perfectly for J.J. with where he’s at, from a standpoint of Phase 1 being in a classroom setting, running and lifting and continuing what he’s been able to do while a lot of his teammates haven’t been here.”
This offseason, much has been said about keeping Darnold and then about acquiring someone like Aaron Rodgers to be the QB1 for a year, but the Vikings stuck with McCarthy and are fully expected to officially give him the starting role at some point.
He is, of course, the main item to watch throughout the offseason and preseason. The roster is stacked; the Vikings just need someone who can captain the ship on the field.
McCarthy will do everything he can to be that guy, and that could continue at rookie minicamp.
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