Through six NFL starts, it seems as if Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy doesn’t have it. Whatever “it” is — that thing that allows a quarterback to thrive in the NFL — it’s not there.

The numbers make that clear. Six touchdown passes, 10 interceptions, passer rating of 57.9. If he had played enough games to make the list of qualifying passing leaders through 12 weeks of the 2025 season, McCarthy would be dead last. By nearly 20 points.

He fails the eyeball test, too. McCarthy’s performances just don’t have the right overall look.

Throw in the fact that he can’t consistently avoid injury, and it adds up to McCarthy being (so far) a top-10 bust.

That said, it’s not all his fault. Part of the problem seems to be that he’s thinking too much and trying too hard. If so, it’s for good reason

See Full Page