Why J.J. McCarthy could win the Vikings starting QB job for the 2024 season

Rookie QB J.J. McCarthy has a lot stacked against him to be the starter for the Minnesota Vikings. But what does the Michigan product have going his way that gives him a path to QB1 status during the 2024 NFL season?

The highest-drafted quarterback in Minnesota Vikings history isn't someone like Daunte Culpepper or even Fran Tarkenton...it's 2024 draftee J.J. McCarthy. Culpepper held that title for over 20 years until McCarthy was selected 10th overall by the Vikings after a draft night trade. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill for McCarthy, and with a lot of doubters already against him, he's got a lot of people that he's looking to prove wrong.

Being drafted in the top 10 of the NFL draft brings big expectations and questions, both of which circle around this: when will J.J. McCarthy be the starter? The Vikings are not in the position that the Atlanta Falcons are in where they can draft their QB of the future top 10 and have the ability to let him sit and learn comfortably, as there is quite a big gap in talent between Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold. With uncertainty around the Vikings QB1, I don't think fans should be surprised to see McCarthy winning the starting job much sooner rather than later, and here's why.

1. Draft capital

While the Minnesota Vikings head personnel is adamant that they'll let J.J. McCarthy work until he's ready to be the starter, there is quite the elephant in the room that would push their hands into making him QB1 in week 1: Pick #10 overall. As mentioned previously, McCarthy is the highest-drafted QB in Vikings history, putting pressure on him, KOC, and Kwesi.

As much as everyone wants to say that there's no pressure for J.J. to be ready for week 1, we all know that isn't the truth. With such high draft capital comes the expectation that McCarthy will be starting week 1, that's just the cold truth. As long as J.J. McCarthy doesn't look terrible in training camp and proves that he has life as a possible QB1, it shouldn't surprise anyone if he runs out in week 1 against against the Giants as the starter.

2. Weak Competition

Not to be too harsh on Vikings QB Sam Darnold, but it's hard to deny that the journeyman QB hasn't proven himself to football fans to be the surefire QB1 in Minnesota. While Darnold has shown flashes of talent in his career, the former third-overall pick from USC has not made a good case for himself otherwise since entering the league. This is Darnold's 4th team since entering the NFL in 2018, showing that no matter where he's landed, he just hasn't unlocked that potential.

Minnesota is hoping to get a different outcome from Darnold in the 2024 season, as the QB depth chart of Darnold, McCarthy, and Mullens does not leave a clear #1, which Minnesota wants from Darnold. Even though Sam Darnold is the QB1 right now, the gap that J.J. McCarthy needs to close to surpass Darnold is very slim, giving him a prime opportunity to take the Vikings QB1 job by week 1. This is not meant to be a slight on Darnold or Mullens, but it is just the reality that J.J. McCarthy does not have very strong opposition against him to win that starting job.

3. McCarthy's Ability

Love him or hate him, there is just no denying that J.J. McCarthy has an incredible amount of confidence in himself, which is a great trait to have as an NFL QB. McCarthy also holds a lot of other important QB traits, like his agility in the pocket, as well as his impressive arm strength. McCarthy was taken 10th overall for a reason, even if he wasn't able to flash as much ability at Michigan as many would like.

McCarthy is as true of a leader as you'll find, and it's very apparent even in just the brief glimpses fans got after draft night. McCarthy is ready to work, and that motivation/confidence is what can separate him from the other QBs on the roster. The Vikings' hefty investment in McCarthy shows that they are confident in J.J., just as he is confident in himself. McCarthy is a QB who is made for the modern NFL, meaning he can move fluidly but still make the big throws. With Kevin O'Connell at the helm, there should be little doubt that he can unlock the full potential in McCarthy, and with the work ethic that J.J. has shown, that could lead to him being the starting QB1 when the season begins.

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