JJ McCarthy and the Vikings

JJ McCarthy was the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for week one of the NFL season. He had a rough first half but made an incredible comeback, scoring three touchdowns in the fourth quarter in his first NFL game against the Chicago Bears. In week two vs. the Atlanta Falcons, the former National Champion didn’t have a great showing, with two interceptions and a 52.4% completion rate. McCarthy is not entirely at fault, as the offensive line was missing some important players, resulting in weaker protection for the young quarterback.

Soft Benching Theories

Soft benching is when the coach of a team benches a player because of their performance, but claims it is because of an injury. One might do this to preserve a player’s trade value or to preserve a player’s confidence. After JJ McCarthy’s slow start, many people thought the Vikings were using a small injury as an excuse to bench him for the backup QB, Carson Wentz. However, the theory doesn’t add up because the Vikings haven’t pursued trades for other quarterbacks, and it wouldn’t make sense to sit their starter when the main problem is his lack of NFL experience. In order to grow, he must spend time on the field and off of the bench.

Injuries

O-Line: Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill, Donovan Jackson, Ryan Kelly

The offensive line injuries could explain McCarthy’s slow start to his NFL career. In both of his first games, key players were missing from the o-line. The injuries made it easier for the opposing defenses to pressure the quarterback, resulting in incompletions and interceptions.

There have also been many injuries on the defensive line. Important players like Andrew Van Ginkel, who struggled with a concussion and a neck injury, and Harrison Smith and Blake Cashman sustained injuries throughout the early season.

Schedule - Next 3 Weeks

Week 10: V. Ravens Nov 9

Week 11: V. Bears Nov 16

Week 12: V. Packers Nov 23

JJ McCarthy’s... Strengths

Scrambling

Scrambling is one of JJ McCarthy’s main weapons. He is willing to use his legs to make plays if he spots an opportunity. He is also good at throwing on the run, which is useful for escaping sacks.

Leadership

JJ McCarthy is confident on the field. He is resilient and is able to bounce back from mistakes easily. He cares about his game and is always looking for ways to improve. This sets a strong example for others on the team.

Athleticism

McCarthy has the ability to put power behind the ball. He also isn’t afraid of taking hits in the pocket, which is important for any quarterback.

JJ McCarthy’s... Weaknesses

Injuries

JJ suffered a 2024 season-ending torn meniscus and September 2025 high-ankle sprain

Lack of NFL Experience

As I am writing this, McCarthy has only played two games, despite this season being his second on the team.

Accuracy

McCarthy needs to work on his accuracy, especially with deep balls. He has to find the right balance between power and accuracy.