Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has made training camp a national spectacle with fans across the league wondering how the 22-year-old quarterback looks.
Pretty, pretty good, if you ask the NFL’s social media team.
The NFL’s official X account posted a video of McCarthy making an anticipation throw to Jordan Addison, who wasn’t even out of his break before the ball left McCarthy’s hand at a practice on August 2.
“Practice looking sharp in Minnesota,” the caption reads.
The clip went viral on the social media platform with widespread reactions, including the defense of a former Green Bay Packers quarterback and praise from a Pittsburgh Steelers receiver.
However, there was some scrutiny on the surface as well.
J.J. McCarthy Throw Goes Over ‘Casuals’ Heads at Vikings Camp, Earns Respect of Ex-Packers QB
While many in the NFL were impressed by McCarthy’s throw, many fans viewed it as merely a routine throw and catch against no defenders.
“I see my 12 year old nephew making that same throw to my other 8 year old nephew on a regular basis,” one fan wrote.
One Vikings fan attempted to clear the air with a comment in their repost:
This video is so funny because it separates the ball knowers from the casuals.
“He is throwing against no defense”
“my grandma could make this throw!”
“Pick 6”
All missing the goal and point of practicing this, let alone the difficulty.
Among those impressed with the throw was former Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert.
“This is the DEFINITION of trusting your feet and timing,” Benkert wrote in a repost of the video. “Incredible anticipation and trust between the two of them.”
Benkert also defended McCarthy from several fans who attempted to poke holes in the play.
“Could be 6 the other way starring him down like that,” a fan wrote.
“If the DB is staring at the QB on a 7 step drop and a hitch they have bigger problems.
Another fan: “I mean, this is NFL QB’ing 101, no?”
“You’d be surprised,” Benkert replied.
https://x.com/undefined/status/1951756366806167567
Steelers receiver Van Jefferson, who spent a season with Kevin O’Connell while on the Los Angeles Rams, replied with the crown emoji in praise of the throw.
J.J. McCarthy Is Improving Against Vaunted Vikings Defense
For those unconvinced of McCarthy, the following clips against the Vikings defense can offer more looks at the young quarterback’s progression.
While McCarthy displayed his touch and anticipation on the viral throw to Addison, he made a laser throw on the run through three defenders in the same practice.
McCarthy has also improved his deep ball, connecting with Addison on a back-shoulder throw in the end zone.
While highlights come out of every practice, they overlook the more important growing moments that O’Connell is challenging McCarthy with at this stage of the summer.
“What I’ve loved is just the dialogue after some of the plays,” said O’Connell, sharing their on-field adjustments during practice, per the team’s media site. “That’s what I care about, when I can say, ‘Hey, great job. But that first-and-10, now, let’s talk about not only your decision, but what was in your mindset when you hit the ball to Speedy (Jalen Nailor) and we were, you know, clock stopped, first-and-10, with a chance to, only down a point now, so we’re not that far from the goal, why risk potentially ending the drive by a tip or overthrow back in the middle of the field?’ And that’s what I’m so excited about this time. And it’s the dialogue of the great protection calls he’s made; it’s the dialogue of a great checkdown he’s made on first-and-10 when maybe the downfield shot is not there.
“Those are the things that I’ve really enjoyed and really seen him grow, but at the same time he’s a competitive sucker now,” O’Connell added. “He wants to win every drill and win every day, and that’s kind of my job, to try to bring a complete feel to everything that we’re doing.”
