The Athletic: JJM's growth apparent and evident
Joined May 2013
5,336 posts
Rep: 1
Joined May 2013
5,336 posts
Rep: 1
Alec Lewis
@alec_lewis
"J.J. McCarthy is ascending. If this were the midway point of the season, the Vikings would probably be the talk of the NFL.
Their playoff chances may be nil, but the growth is undeniable and important"
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6890590/2025/12/15/j-j-mccarthy-vikings-snf-win-cowboys/
[hr]
Mike Wobschall
@wobby
·
8h
The swirling narrative and then the reality around J.J. McCarthy aren't aligned.
Reality is his record as Vikings starter is .500. If you didn't know what his actual record was and only gauged the narrative, you'd think he was far below .500.
Reality is he's only started 8 games. If you didn't know how many games he's actually started and only gauged the narrative, you'd think there was plenty of sample size to author an air-tight judgment on him.
Quite a ways to go before his story is written.
VikingzFanPage
@vikingzfanpage
·
11h
#Vikings QB JJ McCarthy says he felt like he’s been “thrown into a laundry machine” this season, and “finally opened the door and came out” in last weeks game against Washington, per the broadcast:
@alec_lewis
"J.J. McCarthy is ascending. If this were the midway point of the season, the Vikings would probably be the talk of the NFL.
Their playoff chances may be nil, but the growth is undeniable and important"
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6890590/2025/12/15/j-j-mccarthy-vikings-snf-win-cowboys/
[hr]
Mike Wobschall
@wobby
·
8h
The swirling narrative and then the reality around J.J. McCarthy aren't aligned.
Reality is his record as Vikings starter is .500. If you didn't know what his actual record was and only gauged the narrative, you'd think he was far below .500.
Reality is he's only started 8 games. If you didn't know how many games he's actually started and only gauged the narrative, you'd think there was plenty of sample size to author an air-tight judgment on him.
Quite a ways to go before his story is written.
VikingzFanPage
@vikingzfanpage
·
11h
#Vikings QB JJ McCarthy says he felt like he’s been “thrown into a laundry machine” this season, and “finally opened the door and came out” in last weeks game against Washington, per the broadcast:
#1
·
Dec 15, 7:20 AM
Dec 15, 2025 7:20 AM
Joined May 2013
5,336 posts
Rep: 1
Joined May 2013
5,336 posts
Rep: 1
MAD GAINZ wrote:
He's taken some unnecessary scrutiny this year for some reason. He's started 8 games now...
4-4 record
117/206
57%
1342 passing yds
6.5 YPA
11 passing TDs
11 INTs
3 rushing TDs
Wanna know what Bo Nix's first 8 starts looked like?
5-3 record
165/261
63%
1530 passing yds
5.9 YPA
8 passing TDs
5 INTs
4 rushing TDs
Wanna know what Drake Maye did in his first 8 starts?
2-6 record
168-248
68%
1674 passing yards
6.7 YPA
11 passing TDs
8 INTs
1 rushing TD
How about Penix?
4-4 record
156/257
61%
1905 passing yds
7.4 YPA
7 passing TDs
6 INTs
2 rushing TDs
Caleb Williams?
4-4 record
162/264
61%
1665 passing yds
6.3 YPA
9 passing TDs
5 INTs
0 rushing TDs
McCarthy has thrown a few more INTs in his first 8 starts, but he's tied with Drake Maye for the most TD passes while having 40-50 less pass attempts than the members of his fellow draft class.
Doesn't look that bad now does it?
Most fans today don't have the stomach for a rookie QB and his growing pains. Either they are old timers bringing in old scars or they're the 10 second attention span generation where everything is the greatest or the worst, play to play. JJ's arch really is going to resemble Josh Allen...the sushi is raw. But playing under center and using play action is the ultimate in the NFL and JJ has that background.
edited Dec 15, 2025 1:43 PM
Joined May 2013
5,336 posts
Rep: 1
Joined May 2013
5,336 posts
Rep: 1
Greylock wrote:
He needs to start sliding when he takes off and runs. This head first diving for a few extra yards is going to derail his season at some point unless he learns to protect himself.
'Hold my beer'
Log in to reply.
Edit Post (mod action — author will see a notice)
Warn Poster
Suspend User (3 days)
The user will be suspended for 3 days and will receive an email with the reason and information about how to appeal.