After experiencing some significant struggles in his previous three starts, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy looked like a man on a mission during the team's 31-0 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
McCarthy threw for three touchdowns, finished with a 129.2 passer rating, didn't turn the ball over once, and helped the Vikings' offense find the end zone during all four of their trips inside the red zone during the matchup.
Towards the end of the TV broadcast on FOX, former NFL quarterback Drew Brees, who now works for FOX as a color commentator during games this season, shared some intriguing thoughts about what McCarthy's performance against the Commanders on Sunday could mean for his future.
"For a guy like J.J. McCarthy, this could be a defining moment type of game for him. Just the way that he has come out and found his rhythm so early, hitting a lot of the first and second progressions in rhythm, I think it just reinforces everything that Kevin O'Connell has been preaching to him, and now you're just seeing that come to fruition."
Drew Brees shares what Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy can improve moving forward
As a future Hall of Famer and an owner of several all-time NFL passing records, Brees knows a thing or two about how to perform well in the league as a quarterback.
Along with his comments about how McCarthy's performance on Sunday could essentially be a stepping-stone for his future, Brees also shared what he thinks could help the young Minnesota quarterback take his game to the next level.
"I think as he continues to grow and improve, I think it's the layered balls, those 2 and 3 ball throws into the middle of the field where you're dropping it over the backer in front of the safety, that's where he can make the biggest strides as he continues to grow as a young quarterback in this league."
Brees had a lot of positive things to say about McCarthy during the TV broadcast, and his comments should be ignored, especially since he knows exactly how immediate success isn't a guarantee when it comes to being a quarterback in the NFL.
Before emerging as a record-breaking signal-caller with the New Orleans Saints, Brees spent the early years of his pro career developing as a member of the San Diego Chargers. He knows first-hand that time and patience are often needed in order for a young passer to reach his true potential.
For McCarthy, hopefully his performance against Washington on Sunday was the start of him getting closer to reaching his own true potential.