Daily Norseman on J.J. McCarthy
From the article
The JJ McCarthy trade was a shock... The team really wanted him to be the long term answer and injuries just kept getting in the way of putting game reps on tape... It is sad too. Sad for the Vikings team and for JJ.
STACKED’s take
McCarthy traded after failed 2025 season; 713 college attempts raised development concerns.
The Vikings traded McCarthy away after determining he was not a long-term answer at QB; injuries prevented him from accumulating game reps to develop, and the team faced a contract decision with his rookie deal expiring in 2027. The source notes McCarthy attempted only 713 passes in college across 28 starts in a run-heavy Michigan offense and 243 passes in the NFL regular season (956 combined attempts), raising questions about his college development under Jim Harbaugh. Vikings insiders revealed the 2024 10th overall pick had a 'brutal' 2025 season; team sources acknowledged post-draft that McCarthy needed to eliminate overstriding on throws and develop better touch. His immaturity also troubled the organization—his 'Nine' alter ego nickname earned internal eye-rolls, and he defied coaches' advice by dancing the Griddy before reaching the end zone in Week 15 against Dallas. The Vikings saved $4.66 million in total cash and cap space by trading him, absorbing $3.18 million in dead cap for 2027.
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