After the Minnesota Vikings used the 10th overall pick to select him in the 2024 NFL Draft this past April, it's no surprise that fans are ultra curious to see how rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is performing in the team's training camp this summer.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has made it known multiple times during the last few weeks that the team has a specific plan for the development of McCarthy. The rookie spent most of Minnesota's OTAs getting QB3 reps, but since the start of the training camp earlier this month, the majority of his reps have been with the second-team offense.
Given his rise up the depth chart, many would assume that McCarthy has looked impressive on the Vikings' practice fields this summer. But thanks to engagement farming social media accounts, a false narrative about Minnesota's rookie quarterback has recently begun to spread about his performance in camp.
No, J.J. McCarthy has not significantly struggled in Minnesota Vikings training camp
Unfortunately, the goal for a number of popular NFL-related accounts on social media is to generate as many views as possible, regardless of whether the information being shared is truthful or not.
Recently, a clip of McCarthy throwing an interception in practice has been floating around online, and a number of accounts have run with the narrative of him struggling in Vikings training camp.
#Vikings are getting the #1 ovr pick I fear pic.twitter.com/IZG3KSaHgE
— Jaquan Brisker Burner (@briskerburner78) July 29, 2024
Sure, McCarthy threw an interception on this play. But can this one play be used to encapsulate his entire performance in Minnesota's training camp so far?
No, it cannot.
In fact, many who have attended Vikings training camp this summer would argue that McCarthy has performed better than Sam Darnold, who is projected to open the regular season as the team's starting quarterback.
Let's take a look at some recent social media posts from people who were actually at the TCO Performance Center to watch Minnesota practice during the last few days and see if we can tell whether McCarthy has been struggling or not.
In a low red zone 7-on-7, J.J. McCarthy hits Trishton Jackson at the back pylon and Jalen Nailor over the middle for consecutive TDs. He also just hit Nick Muse for a score.
— Jeff Wald (@JeffWaldFox9) July 30, 2024
McCarthy is feeling it today. #Vikings
JJ McCarthy with a 50+ yard throw to Trishton Jackson against the 1st team defense on the second play of the day.
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) July 30, 2024
(@Dust_Vikings) pic.twitter.com/K22UHqyCK5
In red zone 7-on-7’s (NO pass rush), Darnold went 2/6 with 0 TD’s
— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) July 30, 2024
McCarthy went 4/6 with 4 TD’s
J.J. McCarthy in that red zone 7 on 7 period: 4 for 5, 3 TDs
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) July 27, 2024
Still looking smooth and decisive
Wrong quarterback. Darnold has had far greater struggles. McCarthy actually looks more confident and comfortable.
— Judd Zulgad (@jzulgad) July 31, 2024
On Tuesday, O'Connell shared that McCarthy will eventually be given some reps with the first-team offense in the near future. So, that must mean the rookie is doing something correct, right?
Has McCarthy had some rookie moments during the first few days of Vikings training camp? Sure, but this was expected to happen before he even took a snap in practice.
But has he been struggling as much as some online have attempted to make it seem? Nope, not even close.