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From the moment the Minnesota Vikings won the Kyler Murray free agency sweepstakes, many took it as a sign that J.J. McCarthy won’t be the team’s starting quarterback when the 2026 NFL season kicks off. Some have taken it a step further, suggesting that McCarthy could quickly request a trade, especially if he does lose the ongoing starting QB battle in Minnesota.
Meanwhile, others still believe McCarthy has the same sky-high ceiling the Vikings once envisioned when trading up to make him the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Still just 23 years old, McCarthy has just 10 starts under his belt. While there were rough patches, one NFL analyst still thinks McCarthy can be a high-level QB in the pros.
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McCarthy took a lot of heat for an up-and-down season in his debut year. Yet, he also flashed his talent on many occasions while still leading the Vikings to an otherwise respectable 6-4 record. One NFL analyst has taken notice of the skills McCarthy displayed and is heeding caution in giving up on the former first-round pick.
Specifically, former NFL QB Chase Daniel is now highlighting some impressive things he saw from the Vikings’ signal-caller last season. Yet, he also adds that McCarthy’s mechanics were all out of whack. A more consistent follow-through could lead to more accuracy.
Daniel then goes on to break down what he calls a “perfect” execution on a touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson, where he split the defense in the red zone as McCarthy fired the ball into a tight window. It’s an impressive clip for sure, but how often can McCarthy repeat this process? That may be a question for the coaching staff, but the young QB has reportedly shown a lot of growth this offseason.
This is the kind of throw that reminds you why the Vikings possibly believe JJ McCarthy could be their franchise QB.
The impressive part…..He’s making NFL-caliber throws like this despite mechanics that still need work. #skol pic.twitter.com/kDwyJyVNxU
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) July 17, 2026
Who knows? McCarthy was a first-round pick for a reason. Maybe he really can take a significant leap in his development and still claim that franchise QB moniker he was given upon being drafted.
Related: NFL Executive Explains What Sets Justin Jefferson Apart from Ja’Marr Chase
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