JJ McCarthy Struggling vs Upgraded Vikings Defense

It shouldn’t be a shock that the Minnesota Vikings defense will cause problems for opposing quarterbacks. The front seven has been overhauled and called the best unit in the entire league. They have lived up to that hype early as well.

J.J. McCarthy missed all of last season after suffering a knee injury in a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Although he attacked the rehab process and put himself in a position to succeed this year, the practice opponent isn’t making it easy on him.

If there’s a positive when considering the test that McCarthy is currently facing, it’s that he’s cutting his teeth against one of the best units in the sport.

Minnesota Vikings defense pushing JJ McCarthy

The Vikings made it official. J.J. McCarthy will start on Saturday against the Houston Texans. That is expected to be his only preseason game action before Week 1. He’ll get a chance to work against a defense that is not his own, and one that theoretically will generate a lesser challenge. The Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer spoke of how the purple on purple experience has gone.

The Vikings defense has had the upper hand over the young McCarthy throughout training camp, and Monday night was no different.

McCarthy was often flustered from the pocket and throwing on the run during 11-on-11 drills at TCO Stadium, where the team holds its annual night practice for fans. His longest pass sailed over the head of wide receiver Jordan Addison about 20 yards downfield.

McCarthy’s operation also had a couple of false starts while working with backup center Michael Jurgens, who replaced Kelly, the injured starter, for the night.

Andrew Krammer – Star Tribune

It’s not surprising that a well-polished defense would present challenges for a young quarterback. It’s also a positive that Brian Flores isn’t taking his foot off the gas and is throwing everything he can at McCarthy.

McCarthy won’t have injured wide receiver Justin Jefferson with him on Saturday. T.J. Hockenson and Ryan Kelly could both be out as well as they nurse minor maladies.

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What Kevin O’Connell has to be hoping for is a calm and level of poise that sets McCarthy up to move forward. He’s going to see another defense next week with the New England Patriots in town for joint practices. That may be his best opportunity for increased growth prior to the regular season.

No reason to panic for MN Vikings JJ McCarthy

It would be more problematic for the Minnesota Vikings if McCarthy was picking apart the newly upgraded defense. The fact that he’s not allows for the coaching staff to impart additional points of wisdom.

Last year McCarthy threw 17 passes (completing 11 of them) and a pair of touchdowns in his preseason game against the Raiders. It’s unlikely he sees that level of exposure as the guaranteed starter to open the season.

Minnesota will likely want to see how well he appears to exhibit comfort in the pocket during his first game action since the injury. The results will be nitpicked, and they could be glorified if the performance stands out too. Really though, this is more of a process superior to results situation.

The Vikings are just over one month away from their Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Monday Night Football. September 8 is the day O’Connell, McCarthy, and everyone else has circled for things to be dialed in by.