J.J. McCarthy Trashed by Popular NFL Voice
On August 10, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) went through pregame stretches and warmup throws before facing the Las Vegas Raiders in preseason play at U.S. Bank Stadium. The rookie quarterback prepared for one of his earliest NFL appearances, fine-tuning mechanics and cadence work as Minnesota evaluated offensive rhythm and roster depth during exhibition action under the home lights. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
Some already believe Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is toast, destined to bust and amount to nothing. One example is Fox Sportsâ Colin Cowherd, who wasnât bashful this week about teeing off on the 22-year-old passer.
A well-known NFL analyst took aim at Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, questioning his readiness and poise after recent struggles under center.
Cowherd doesnât believe that McCarthy has the juice.
Colin Cowherd Continues Crusade against J.J. McCarthy
Another blow in the court of public opinion.
On April 13, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Fox Sports analyst Colin Cowherd attended UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena alongside his wife, Ann Cowherd. The longtime broadcaster, known for his outspoken NFL commentary, was seen enjoying the action cageside as the event drew major sports personalities from across the country. Cowherdâs appearance sparked attention among fans familiar with his bold takes on players and teams. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
McCarthy May Not Make It in Minnesota, Says Cowherd
Cowherd addressed McCarthyâs first four games as a pro Monday, speaking on his show, The Herd.
He remarked, âJ.J. McCarthy, off script, passer rating, 57. The hardest thing in the NFL, in my opinion, beyond just winning, is acknowledging for GMs and coaches, we made a mistake in that first-round pick. Iâd let J.J. play the entire year. Got nothing to lose. I do think if youâre good on the first drive, it means youâre coachable.â
âAnd I think his arm is an NFL arm, but Kevin OâConnellâs had seven quarterbacks in Minnesota. J.J. is sixth, and Iâm watching Justin Jefferson, and heâs about done with it. I donât want to be negative. He was the one. I donât want to do confirmation bias, because this was the one first-round quarterback I didnât get it.â
Cowherd then claimed that Michigan players donât translate to the NFL quite as well as those from other schools.
âWhat weâve seen about all those Michigan guys, Roman Wilson, Blake Corum, weâve noted. Have you noticed this? J.J., if you notice this, theyâre not as good as pros. Itâs not like the Georgia guys that come in like Jalen Carter and are immediately a top two player in the league at his position,â Cowherd opined.
Cowherd ended by saying that McCarthy doesnât have the necessary traits for QB1: âItâs not the Bama guys that walk in, the wide receivers, and youâre like, âOh yeah, that guy.â A lot of those Michigan guys, a lot of it was hardball, and Iâm watching and I know heâs a winner. I get it, but I donât get the traits. I donât see it.â
Cowherd Was a Sam Darnold Guy
Why is Cowherd so critical of McCarthy, not affording him the patience that most do for 22-year-old quarterbacks? It might be his affinity for Sam Darnold, who quarterbacks the Seattle Seahawks after leading Minnesota to a 14-3 record last season and an unfortunate capitulation in the postseason.
Cowherd said on the same show in May: âJ.J. McCarthy, youâre going to see it very quickly â is not what people think. J.J. McCarthy is a âCâ quarterback. You ever seen J.J. McCarthyâs fourth quarter college stats and playing from behind fourth quarter stats in college, with Michigan and Harbaugh and that O-line? Theyâre terrible.â
âI think the Bears eke into the playoffs. I think Jordan Love, I like. I think theyâre worried about him ⊠theyâve got a couple other needs defensively, and they went with a wide receiver again. The Vikings â I think letting Sam Darnold go, I think they may regret it.â
Cowherd also predicted that Darnold would thrive in Minnesota before it happened. He did nail that prognostication.
An Unfinished Book on McCarthy
Quarterbacks start to see real stabilization for future trajectory around 250-300 passing attempts. McCarthy has passed the ball 108 times in four games.
On November 2, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) walked off the field at Ford Field following the divisional clash against the Detroit Lions. The rookie signal-caller carried a mix of focus and frustration after a tough NFC North battle, reflecting on lessons from another test against a seasoned rival in a game that underscored the teamâs growing pains. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images.
While itâs fine to analyze McCarthy or any quarterbackâs first handful of games, their true colors donât begin to emerge until 10 starts or so. For McCarthy, thatâs around December of this season, assuming he stays upright and healthy.
McCarthy has shown flashes of prominence, especially in games against key rivals, helping Minnesota knock off the Chicago Bears in Week 1 and Detroit Lions in Week 9. Heâs also struggled and played inconsistently in other games.
In short, itâs really bizarre for Cowherd to declare that McCarthy âdoesnât have the traitsâ after 108 passing attempts. Almost all high-profile quarterbacks are afforded more than four games before a verdict is rendered.
Run the Ball, According to Fans
Of course, the Vikingsâ coaching staff could make McCarthyâs life much easier. They just havenât done it to date.
Minnesota averages 4.6 yards per rush this season, ranking 13th in the NFL through 10 weeks, but also runs the ball fourth-least â 38.4% of the time. The ground game, led by Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, has worked when the ball is in their hands, but head coach Kevin OâConnell prefers to throw the pigskin at a 62% clip.
On September 14, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) took the field ahead of kickoff against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as fans watched the young passer continue his development in the early stages of the season. McCarthyâs composure and focus during pregame warmups mirrored Minnesotaâs determination to reestablish offensive consistency and identity. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
In a utopia, those percentages could be flopped: run the ball around 60% of the time with a 22-year-old passer under center, and throw 40%.
Minnesota is not doing that, instead trusting McCarthy to be a game-breaker with his arm.
With or without Cowherdâs bleak assessment, the Vikings are favored to defeat Ben Johnsonâs Bears by 3.5 points this weekend.
