Vikings Fans React to 'Concerning' J.J. McCarthy News
Vikings Fans React to 'Concerning' J.J. McCarthy News originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is going to be subject to all sorts of critique.
Yet to throw a pass in a regular-season game, McCarthy's body of work in organized team activities (OTAs) and training camp will be closely monitored -- a byproduct of the rabid news cycle and engagement appetite on social media.
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Internally, head coach Kevin O'Connell has pushed back on any tracking of throws at this stage of the offseason. He has encouraged the young quarterback to make mistakes at this stage of the offseason program. Forcing throws into tight windows and pushing the boundaries as a passer are necessary risks for McCarthy to embrace and for O'Connell to gauge in his plans for McCarthy's first year as a starter.
But outside of the quarterback room, every completion, touchdown and interception caught on film will be overblown on social media for fans ready to see the 22-year-old take the starting reins.
Just days into the OTAs, a report stating the Vikings have "concerning thoughts" about McCarthy caught some serious flak on social media as fans pushed back on any concern at this stage of the offseason.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) at Vikings training campJeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Appearing on SKOR North, Ross Tucker argued that he thinks the Vikings have some doubts about McCarthy because of their efforts to re-sign Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones -- a take that was amplified by Newsweek on June 2.
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"No matter what the Vikings say about J.J. McCarthy... they wanted [Sam] Darnold back," Tucker said. "And then when they weren't going to get Darnold back, they wanted Daniel Jones back... As much as they're 'sold' on J.J. McCarthy, they weren't that sold... so [the Vikings] have some doubt."
Tucker was met with a fanfare of critique.
"Vikes wanted Sam back? Sam only is getting 30 mil from Seahawks. That is not bad for a QB. If Vikes wanted him back they easily could've resigned [sic] him. They chose not to," one Vikings fan wrote on X. "The Daniel Jones part is laughable. Jones chose Colts because he saw an easier path to start. If Vikes weren't sold on JJ Jones could've easily stayed n competed for job. He chose to leave."
"This may as well be an Onion article," a second fan replied.
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"One persons opinion doesn't mean the Vikings are 'reportedly concerned' about JJ McCarthy," a third fan said. "This is such sensationalism lmao."
"Even a Chicago Bears fan didn't buy into any ridicule coming from Tucker: "I wouldn't worry much about this article Vikings fans, this @RossTuckerNFL guy is a clueless moron."
Unfortunately, this is the tip of the iceberg for McCarthy's first offseason as a true starter, but Vikings fans appear not to be taking any bait prematurely.
Related: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Dealt Josh Allen Comparison by Former Bills Teammate
Related: Vikings Defender Delivers Strong Statement at OTAs on CB Room Concerns
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
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