{"id":855740,"date":"2026-04-05T20:58:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T20:58:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/855740\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T20:58:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T20:58:18","slug":"vikings-j-j-mccarthy-gets-brutal-honesty-from-former-teammate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/855740\/","title":{"rendered":"Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy Gets Brutal Honesty from Former Teammate"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"JJ\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no denying that Vikings\u2019 QB J.J. McCarthy has had bountiful struggles already in his young NFL<\/a> career.<\/p>\n

Including playoffs, McCarthy has only been available for 10 of a total 35 games. That looks even worse when he failed to finish two of them (@NYG, vs. GB in 2025).<\/p>\n

Compounding on the unavailability thus far in his career. the play in his appearances has been concerning. Consider McCarthy\u2019s advanced metrics in 2025.<\/p>\n

Lowest completion percentage (57.6%)
\nLowest average yardage per attempt (5.4yds)
\nLowest passer rating (72.6)
\nLowest adjusted net yardage per pass attempt (4.3yds)
\nLowest on-target percentage (66.5%)
\n2nd-lowest passing success rate (41.1%)
\n2nd-lowest pass yards per game of any QB that started at least 10 games (163.2yds)
\n3rd-lowest QBR (35.6)
\n5th-lowest net yards per pass attempt (5.49yds)
\n6th-lowest pressure-to-sack rate (23.5%)
\n8th-lowest overall QB PFF grade (61.8)
\n8th-lowest PFF passing grade (60.1)
\nMost interceptions of any QB that played 10 games or less (12)
\n2nd-highest bad-throw percentage (21.3%)<\/p>\n

This was concerning enough for the Vikings to feel the need to sign Kyler Murray<\/a> in free agency. However, there are still supportive people in J.J. McCarthy\u2019s jury, such as former Michigan teammate and current Los Angeles Ram Blake Corum.<\/p>\n

Vikings\u2019 J.J. McCarthy Gets Big Defense from Blake Corum\"Vikings<\/p>\n

GettyANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN \u2013 SEPTEMBER 09: Blake Corum #2 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates a first half touchdown with J.J. McCarthy #9 while playing the UNLV Rebels at Michigan Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Bobby Kownack<\/a>, digital content producer for\u00a0NFL.com recently shared some words of affirmation for McCarthy spoken by Corum.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ceiling is so high for J.J. You\u2019ve got to think, his rookie year, he went down with the injury. Last year, he had a bunch of injuries, as well, so he hasn\u2019t been on the field much. He hasn\u2019t really had a lot of playing time that quarterbacks need. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s a lot different going from college to the NFL. J.J. is a field general. I think he\u2019s going to take the challenge that they\u2019ve given him, obviously bringing in\u00a0Kyler Murray<\/a>, there\u2019s gonna be a competition. That\u2019s going to light a fire under him. But he\u2019s just an overall good human being. He\u2019s a competitor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Corum, a Michigan teammate of McCarthy for 3 seasons, didn\u2019t end his defense there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know he\u2019s no someone who\u2019s going to let naysayers or outsiders determine the type of player he\u2019s going to be. He still has the pencil in his own hand. He\u2019s still writing his story. I think this is going to be a great year for J.J., and I\u2019m super excited to see him prove everyone wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

J.J. McCarthy\u2019s Story Isn\u2019t Finished Yet\"J.J.<\/p>\n

GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the first quarter in the game against the Baltimore Ravens<\/a> at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

In technical terms, just because Kyler Murray is a Viking, it doesn\u2019t mean the Twin Cities have seen the last of J.J. McCarthy on the field.<\/p>\n

Head coach Kevin O\u2019Connell has been very vocal in claiming there to be a true competition this offseason for the starting QB job<\/a>. While it\u2019s quite unlikely to think it\u2019s a competition that McCarthy would win, there is a technical non-zero chance he wins the job that was supposed to be his to begin with.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBrevan Bane<\/a> Brevan Bane is a sports scribe covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals. Brevan began his writing career by making a platform on Twitter and leveraging his presence into writing and content creation opportunities for outlets like PurplePTSD, Vikings Territory, The Noise, Hockey Wilderness, and the VikesNow YouTube channel. You can follow him on X @brevmanbane. More about Brevan Bane<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Vikings\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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