We are currently on my NFL training camp tour, having visited 17 teams, and will be at 21 by the end of the week. After the first full weekend of preseason games, here are the takeaways.
“I really like J.J. McCarthy’s progress. It’s obvious how good his situation is with the Minnesota Vikings,” said one observer. “He acquitted himself nicely, especially in riding out some bumps, in his preseason debut against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday, completing 11-of-18 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns and an interception.”
It’s clear that McCarthy benefits from having a strong supporting cast and football infrastructure around him. With players like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Christian Darrisaw, Kevin O’Connell, Wes Phillips, and Josh McCown, the rookie quarterback has a solid foundation to work with.
“And maybe best of all is that he’s playing for a staff that won’t force him out on the field in the regular season before he’s ready,” another analyst noted.
Over the past few months, there has been talk about the detailed plan O’Connell had for McCarthy, a plan that was put in place before the Vikings drafted him. Being in Minnesota last week, the first thing I wanted to talk to O’Connell about was this plan, which he described as carefully considered and drawing on his experiences as a player, quarterback trainer, and coach.
The first piece of the plan was how O’Connell stocked the quarterback room, bringing in McCown as quarterbacks coach, Udinski as assistant offensive coordinator-assistant QBs coach, and Mullens to help teach the system. This setup allows McCarthy and Sam Darnold to get the necessary practice reps to improve.
After assembling the right team around the young quarterbacks, the focus shifted to developing a script that would give McCarthy and Darnold the best chance to grow. Darnold, who signed a one-year, $10 million deal as a free agent, has experience in multiple systems and with different teams, while McCarthy comes from a stable college program. Recognizing their unique needs, the coaching staff tailored their development plans accordingly.
As the preseason progresses, it will be interesting to see how McCarthy continues to develop under the guidance of the seasoned coaching staff and with the support of his talented teammates. Stay tuned for more updates from our training camp tour as we follow the progress of all 21 teams!