NFL Rumor: Broncos HC Sean Payton is “in love” with J.J. McCarthy

The NFL offseason is always rife with rumors and speculation, especially when it comes to the quarterback position. One name that has recently caught the attention of football insiders is J.J. McCarthy. The Michigan Wolverines signal-caller completed his tenure with the program with an impressive 27-1 record as a QB1.

McCarthy’s performance was pivotal in leading Michigan to its first national championship title since 1997. He has already announced his inclusion in the upcoming draft. It seems that Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is particularly smitten with the young quarterback.

J.J. McCarthy reportedly has admirer in Sean Payton

During Tony Pauline’s latest NFL mock draft, he dropped a golden nugget regarding the Broncos interest in J. J. McCarthy, attributing it to Coach Payton. Pauline revealed that Payton was keen on moving up in the draft to secure one of the top three quarterbacks, and he had developed a strong affinity for McCarthy after the combine.

“I reported from the Shrine Bowl that head coach Sean Payton desperately wanted to move up and select one of the top three quarterbacks in the draft. I also learned at the combine that Payton fell in love with McCarthy”, Pauline wrote.

There is a demand for quarterbacks outweighing the supply, and there is also a possibility that the Michigan star could be off the board before the Broncos get their chance at No. 12. Even former NFL quarterback Brady Quinn believes he has the potential to go early in the draft. If Payton truly covets McCarthy, he may need to persuade Broncos GM George Paton to make a move before it’s too late.

Paul Allen, the Vikings radio play-by-play announcer, added fuel to the rumor mill by suggesting that there’s increasing local talk about Sean Payton’s admiration for Mike McCarthy. Payton seems to appreciate McCarthy’s pro-style offense background and strong arm, qualities that align with what Payton looks for in a quarterback.

The timing of this revelation couldn’t be more interesting for the Broncos, who are in the market for a new quarterback following the Russell Wilson drama. With Wilson set to hit the free agency market, the Broncos are eyeing potential replacements, and McCarthy’s name has perfectly entered the conversation.

Analyst advocates for J.J. McCarthy’s NFL prospect

Analyst Mark Schlereth made a compelling case for J.J. McCarthy’s readiness for the NFL during a recent episode of the Stinkin’ Truth Podcast. Schlereth mentioned McCarthy’s unique experience operating within Michigan’s pro-style system, asserting that this gives him a significant edge over other quarterback prospects.

“He’s one-of-one as far as I’m concerned when it comes to quarterbacks who operate at the line of scrimmage in a pro-style system. He’s in control at the line of scrimmage. He’s not just looking at a card saying ‘barn, rooster, chicken,’ he’s actually operating and changing strength calls,” he said.

Schlereth talked about the importance of evaluating quarterbacks based on their potential to translate skills to the NFL, rather than solely focusing on college production. He added McCarthy’s experience in a pro-style system gives him a distinct advantage in terms of readiness for the professional level.

McCarthy’s three years under the leadership of Jim Harbaugh likely contributed significantly to his development. Harbaugh recently praised the QB’s athleticism, and winning mentality, predicting that he could emerge as the first QB off the board in the NFL draft. The signal-caller recorded impressive stats last season with 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just four interceptions.