NFL rumor: Vikings to aggressively pursue J.J. McCarthy after Pro-Day showing

The Minnesota Vikings have bid farewell to Kirk Cousins, signaling a shift in their quarterback strategy for the upcoming season. With Cousins departing, the team is now on the hunt for a new franchise quarterback to lead them to success.

Among the emerging prospects, J.J. McCarthy stands out as a prime target for the NFC North team. With Caleb Williams possibly heading to the Chicago Bears and other talents like Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels finding potential landing spots elsewhere, McCarthy emerges as a prime target for the Vikings.

Vikings to chase J.J. McCarthy in NFL draft

The Vikings are making waves ahead of the NFL draft, with all eyes on their quarterback pursuit. Following the departure of Kirk Cousins in free agency, the team sealed a trade with the Houston Texans to secure pick No. 23, bolstering their position in the draft. This move, coupled with their existing Day 1 selection at No. 11, puts them in a prime position to shape their future.

The Vikings General Manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, is eyeing a move up the draft board. ESPN reports that there is a huge buzz among NFL personnel suggesting the Vikings’ intention to trade up to the 4th or 5th spot to secure McCarthy, with one general manager ranking him as a top-six prospect.

Despite Adofo-Mensah and Coach Kevin O’Connell’s absence at McCarthy’s pro day, the Vikings made their interest evident through the quarterback’s coach Josh McCown’s attentive presence. The team’s proactive approach aligns with analyst Joel Klatt’s projection of the Vikings trading with the Los Angeles Chargers to snag McCarthy at the fifth spot.

Meanwhile, SNY’s Connor Hughes reported the New York Giants are contemplating a quarterback selection at the 6th overall pick, with McCarthy emerging as a leading contender. Besides that, Tony Pauline’s insights shed light on the Denver Broncos’ interest in McCarthy, fueled by Coach Sean Payton’s admiration for the quarterback post-combine.

J.J. McCarthy confident of Pro-Day showing

J.J. McCarthy exuded confidence following his Pro-Day performance, addressing concerns and showcasing his skills to potential NFL teams. He expressed satisfaction in dispelling doubts, especially regarding his ability to execute deep throws and out-breakers to the left,

“I just wanted to showcase the questions they had about out-breakers to the left and putting some air on the deep posts, stuff like that. I felt like I did that today. I’m pretty confident with the showing I put out there”, McCarthy said.

McCarthy delved into the intangible qualities he brings to the table.

“It’s about potential, traits, character — all that little stuff. You could throw for 5,000 yards in a year, but if you have awful character and your teammates don’t like you, what’s that going to do for you? I pride myself on the intangibles and being able to be a leader.”

The signal-caller maintained a grounded perspective amid the whirlwind of NFL draft speculation. He also mentioned the fundamental nature of the game, viewing it within the broader context of life.

“With all this added pressure that comes with being a franchise quarterback and being drafted and all that, it just brings me back to the roots of, ‘Hey, this is just a game at the end of the day. When you zoom out on planet Earth and look down, all this pressure that you’re feeling really isn’t there at the end of the day.”

McCarthy’s development as a quarterback owes much to his tenure under the guidance of Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. Harbaugh also sees him as a potential top draft pick. With impressive statistics from his previous season, including nearly 3,000 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and minimal interceptions, McCarthy emerges as a formidable contender for a prominent role in the upcoming NFL draft.