Interesting take on Vikings and managing JJM...
EAGAN, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings kept two essential principles in mind when searching for a quarterback in the 2024 draft. They needed to assess the skills of each player, of course, but they also wanted to project the type of team to build around the player they ultimately acquired.
"What people don't understand about the quarterback-selection process is that it's not just the quarterback themselves," coach Kevin O'Connell told ESPN at the time. "It's: 'What does the rest of the picture look like with that quarterback?'"
The second part drove the Vikings' team-building plan for this season, when they tapped J.J. McCarthy to take over the position and then assembled the NFL's third-oldest roster with a cash payroll of nearly $350 million to support his development in real time. It made sense.
The No. 10 pick was the youngest member of the 2024 quarterback draft class, with by far the fewest college passing attempts and less of the transcendent physical traits that some of the others possessed.
After he missed his rookie season because of a torn meniscus in his right knee, McCarthy couldn't be counted on to elevate the team as the Washington Commanders' Jayden Daniels and the New England Patriots' Drake Maye have. To succeed in 2025, the Vikings would need to win with McCarthy -- sometimes in spite of him and occasionally because of him.
Let's consider five ways the Vikings hoped to support McCarthy and how it has impacted their 4-4 start.
Many of them hadn't surfaced until he returned from a five-week absence (high right ankle sprain) for Sunday's 27-24 upset of the Detroit Lions -- and it is not an exaggeration to say they will remain key to Minnesota's chances of reaching the playoffs.
"There were some real elements of quarterback play," O'Connell said this week of McCarthy's play in Detroit. "And then in the moments where maybe it got loose, or we can tighten things up, that's what we're here for, and that's all part of the journey he's on."
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46881233/nfl-minnesota-vikings-jj-mccarthy-justin-jefferson
Topline -- full article goes much more in-depth on each of these:
Elite pass catchers who just need a chance
The Vikings assembled six veteran skill players who can all make life easier for McCarthy in the pass game. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor all made what NFL Next Gen Stats calls a "tight window" reception against the Lions, meaning the nearest defender was less than a yard away.
Realistic game plans and playcalls
It takes time to understand the schemes a young quarterback is comfortable with, and what might put him in a tough position, but O'Connell's takeaways are beginning to be evident on the field.
Experienced offensive line
The Vikings hoped to protect McCarthy with an offensive line stocked with proven veterans and a rookie first-round draft pick in left guard Donovan Jackson, and they committed an NFL-high $91.2 million in cash this season to do it. Only six other teams are within $20 million of that number. But injuries and recovery plans have prevented the full group from playing a single snap together in the first half of the season.
Defense powering wins
The Vikings did not leave much to chance in collecting their defensive roster. When at full strength, nine of the 11 positions are manned by veterans who have at least four years of experience and are on multiyear second contracts. They did not envision a defense that merely limited opposing offenses. Instead, they wanted one that could put their own offense in advantageous positions through turnovers and favorable field position.
Special teams that fill in gaps
Place-kicker Will Reichard has proved a potent hedge against stalled drives. He has converted all 26 of his kicks that were less than 50 yards, including 16 extra points and 10 field goals. And his six field goals of 50 yards or longer are tied for the second-most in the NFL. His makes include one from 62 yards and two from 59. Effectively, the Vikings are in scoring range whenever they cross midfield.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
The best thing the Vikings could have done for KOC's job satisfaction was to get him a toy qb to mentor...O'Connell aint perfect, but he's extremely smart and thoughtful when it comes to raising qb's.
And I agree Sticky, Vikings had NO CHANCE at any of the top 3 ranked qb's that draft. If they did? Maye would have been a Viking today. They didnt have a shot at Penix either - so it was really down to Nix or JJM.
I'm good with what we got, for now anyhow.
I think JJM probably took the most projection as to how he would do on Sundays. Bit of a ballsy pick in that regard.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
I think it'll be a big game for JJM. He's already faced the highest-ranked team he's likely to see until the potential playoffs, so...it's a big game, but no more than what he's already faced.
I think he'll want more, this week. Whether or not he pays attention to the howlings on social media, I'm sure he's very aware of his relatively modest stat lines and the narrative of being run with training wheels.
It's not right, but he's the only one that can change the narratives. If we win on Sunday, I wouldn't be surprised to see him pass for well over 200 yards and maybe try to add meaningful ground yardage, again. I feel like he'd look at Lamar, and want to instill the same amount of respect/fear in opponents.
Can he do it? We'll all find out tomorrow.
KOC, JJM, Flores...make a good plan, or you'll be following Kwesi....
Huge game today for young JJ. Not that they all aren't. But it would be a massive boost to the team, its fans and media if he can stack a couple of Ws together.
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