Vikings training camp: J.J. McCarthy's early progress and 5 key takeaways

New York Times

6 days ago

EAGAN, Minn. — We're told not to make too much out of one training camp throw, but this one might be the exception.
Saturday. Early in the team period. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy faked a handoff, eyed the defense and curved a pass into a small area near the right sideline where only the receiver, Jalen Nailor, could make the catch.
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There wasn't any hooting or hollering. Sure, the fans cheered, but they didn't react as loudly as they did when McCarthy connected on a deep ball. No social media frenzy ensued; in fact, it's hard to find a video clip. But it exists. Cameras captured what is one of the most critical signs that has surfaced for the Minnesota Vikings.
But why? Why would a seemingly unspectacular sequence matter so much? Coach Kevin O'Connell had the answer.
'That's probably the biggest difference between college football and the NFL,' O'Connell said earlier Saturday. 'How do we occupy defenders and throw in behind them? Versus, with the wider hashes in college, a lot of times you're throwing through open voids to a target.'
Letting it riiiiiiiiiip 🎯🎯@jjmccarthy09
📺: Back Together Weekend on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/pO1wTTjLaj
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 26, 2025
McCarthy's velocity has never been a question mark. One of his college teammates, Jack Tuttle, a former four-star recruit who had seen Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields at quarterback camps, believed J.J. McCarthy threw with more RPMs (revolutions per minute). But in the NFL, that only matters so much.
In previous practice sessions, O'Connell hollered for McCarthy's attention, then motioned his hand like he was sprinkling seasoning on food. The teaching point? Add some air, feel the ball leave your fingertips. The Nailor pass might be the best example, but two other times on Saturday, McCarthy also bent the ball over defenders into the intermediate area for tight end T.J. Hockenson.
The Vikings are fortunate that defensive coordinator Brian Flores' unit simulates the need for angled throws more than most. Defenders positioned on the line of scrimmage often drop, and safeties regularly step down from depth. The changing picture provides a textured feel, which forces McCarthy's hand.
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Any in-depth evaluation would be foolish until Monday, when players don pads and the pass rush speeds McCarthy up even further. However, the 22-year-old has checked critical boxes early on. The Vikings have gotten in and out of the huddle on time, and the operation at the line of scrimmage has been smooth. McCarthy used cadences Saturday to create a free play, and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown patted him on the helmet afterward. Processing the defensive picture hasn't been an issue either. McCarthy executed Saturday's red zone period as well as anyone could have hoped.
Here are five other takeaways from training camp so far.
What does the Vikings defense sound like before the snap?
O'Connell offered a snippet on Saturday.
'They're commenting on splits,' O'Connell said. 'It's, 'Who's on? Who's off? This guy was late to line up. This guy is light in his stance.' I said, 'Is anybody just going to play football?' I mean, because everybody out there was just making noise. But they're saying such high-level stuff.'
Recently extended safety Josh Metellus joked last week that Minnesota's defense is entering its master's stage. What that means in terms of new coverages and stunts will be revealed in time. But Metellus' point makes sense with how the defense has looked over the first three days. Defenders don't look confused or out of position, not even new additions, like cornerbacks Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah or defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. They're disguising themselves on the back end. They're hopping around on the front.
The Vikings haven't toyed with many of their creative personnel groupings yet. Saturday provided a potential snapshot, though, when Flores put edge rushers Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner on the field together. It was but a glimpse at the next phase.
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To achieve that, to continue to confound offenses the way they have the last few seasons, they must be on the screws when it comes to the basics. They have been.
Sam Howell has taken the majority of the backup QB reps. This makes sense. How can O'Connell and the Vikings assess what they have if they don't throw him into the fire? And, to be clear, it is the fire, as most of Howell's reps have been against the first-string defense.
The best way to sum up Howell's performance is a beat too slow. Without the post-practice film, it's impossible to assess each rep accurately. Is Howell taking a hitch because he's not seeing the picture correctly, or is he waiting a split second extra because the receiver was rerouted by a cornerback? Whatever the case, it feels fair to say that Howell hasn't consistently pulled the trigger promptly.
More time against Flores' defense should help. Howell now understands the challenge he faces. Also worth mentioning are Sam Darnold's early struggles in training camp last year. These are but tiny data points.
As for the other quarterbacks, Max Brosmer's accuracy is noticeable. Brett Rypien, who knows the offense better than the other quarterbacks, has been limited to a few reps.
The Vikings' decision-makers telegraphed their plan at cornerback for months.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, O'Connell and Flores said they believed Rodgers could play an every-down role, and that they had a vision for Okudah. It's no surprise, then, that those two have played alongside Byron Murphy Jr. with the first-team defense.
Third-year corner Mekhi Blackmon has also mixed in, but Okudah has commanded most of the snaps. The No. 3 pick in the 2020 draft is with his fourth team in four seasons. An Achilles injury and other health issues have affected his trajectory, but he watched the Vikings defense from afar last year and was intrigued.
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'Me and Flo spoke when I came in for my visit,' Okudah said last week. 'It was cool to have him reach out and say that he envisions me coming into this defense and contributing.'
Behind those four, questions abound. Dwight McGlothern, an undrafted corner last year who made the roster, has not taken reps with the starters. Zemaiah Vaughn, an undrafted rookie, had a stellar spring and is having a good camp. Relying on him for meaningful snaps in 2025, though, would be a big ask.
Wide receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor and Tai Felton are shoo-ins to make the team. Behind them, it's anyone's guess.
Rondale Moore and Tim Jones are more experienced, but one name to keep an eye on is second-year player Jeshaun Jones. The Maryland product impressed during training camp last year. Minnesota kept him on the practice squad, and he took advantage. The most significant change for him between this year and last?
'Having an understanding of what we're trying to do offensively,' Jones said. 'There's a lot of formations and plays. It's trying to slow things down.'
Competition for roster spots will be fierce, and they may hinge on special teams. Undrafted receiver Silas Bolden has an edge as a returner, but Jones' route-running ability (especially for a room that may lose Jordan Addison for part of the early season) could be significant.
• The No. 3 running back spot appears to be up for grabs. Ty Chandler's special teams experience matters, but Zavier Scott has flashed in recent days with his pass-catching ability out of the backfield.
• Levi Drake Rodriguez, Jalen Redmond and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins have occupied interior defensive line spots for the No. 2 defense.
• Third-year safety Jay Ward broke up a pass Saturday. He looks more comfortable than ever in Flores' defense.
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• Rookie linebacker Kobe King has taken snaps alongside Eric Wilson with the No. 2 defense. Where that leaves Brian Asamoah II, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, is a fair question.
• Undrafted safety Mishael Powell deflected a pass in the red zone Saturday. He could wow fans in the preseason.
• The No. 3 tight end position is still a question mark. Gavin Bartholomew, whom the team drafted in the seventh round, hasn't practiced because of a serious back injury. Undrafted Ben Yurosek is the leader in the clubhouse for the job, unless the Vikings acquire a tight end.