***2025 Minnesota Vikings***

Acylum

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What are your expectations for JJ? To start the 1st game of the season? To start sometime during the middle of the season? To start once the Vikings are out of playoff contention? For me, I don't expect and hope JJ doesn't play much at all this year. I hope he doesn't start or play much until next season - 2025.
I am right there with you. My fear is he’ll never start for us. I don’t like the NFL track record of b1g QBs from their elite teams.
 

stuclone

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People were pretty down on Mahomes as a rookie too. Judging JJ right now based off minicamp is pretty ridiculous, but that’s how shows like Purple Daily and locked on Vikings keep their podcasts going
 
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clonehenge

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From Alec Lewis on JJ's mini camp--

Overarching quarterback observations are largely unimportant at this stage, and none are a referendum on McCarthy’s potential.

The Vikings structured their practices with little 11-on-11 work. The quarterbacks mostly threw on their own, with some seven-on-seven competition mixed in. Even when they did include the full roster, few players ran full speed.

McCarthy missed some passes over the first two days. He grounded one to fullback C.J. Ham in the flat. He hummed a throw over the middle Wednesday that safety Theo Jackson lunged and tipped.

Thursday, though, McCarthy looked much better. He lasered one over the middle to tight end Robert Tonyan. He feathered a completion to receiver Trent Sherfield on the far right sideline. Tracking passes feels like a fruitless exercise right now — so many variables factor into these throws, and all a basic stat line does is falsely sway the narrative — but Thursday was easily the rookie’s most efficient day.

This isn’t surprising. McCarthy is practicing new concepts and throwing to new receivers. He is using different footwork. Defenders are moving across his line of vision faster than he has ever experienced. Inconsistency should be the expectation. And the frustrated McCarthy clapped at himself after some throws. After good ones, he high-fived fellow quarterbacks Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall and patted the helmets of receivers.

Tonyan complimented McCarthy on Thursday for his affinity for “ripping it.” Other than that, the Vikings staffers and players remained mostly quiet about McCarthy’s performance. That isn’t surprising, either.

They want to take this slow. To help him develop confidence. To allow him to try throws, make mistakes and learn. Head coach Kevin O’Connell and his staff believe that’s the best path to long-term success, and everyone seems on board.
 

clonehenge

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From Alec Lewis on Darnold's mini camp--

Darnold looked calm, confident and prepared for what is likely to be another starting opportunity.

Thursday, he surveyed receivers in a seven-on-seven rep, then placed the ball perfectly in stride toward second-year receiver Jordan Addison. Once Addison caught the ball and turned upfield, multiple teammates who had been watching from behind Darnold yelled, “Thatta boy, Sam!”

Darnold’s consistency stood out for three days. He connected with Jefferson on a couple of over routes Wednesday, dropping the ball into hard-to-see windows. He anticipated cuts and displayed touch.

“I know firsthand how much arm talent he has,” said defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (Stanford), who played against Darnold (USC) in college. “This is the best team he’s been on. This is the best system for him. He’s hopefully going to find the ceiling of his play this season for us.”

Darnold took every first-team rep. When the Vikings split the fields between the starters and the developmental groups, he stayed with the starting group with Mullens while McCarthy and second-year man Hall trotted over to the other field.

Again, this is not a definitive sign of where McCarthy stands.
 

Marcelason78

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And rumors in Minneapolis that Hakeem’s coach is talking with his son on a possible Butler/Vikings signing?
 

Mr Janny

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And rumors in Minneapolis that Hakeem’s coach is talking with his son on a possible Butler/Vikings signing?
Yeah I heard some buzz about Minnesota being a possible landing place for him. They have very good talent in Jefferson and Addison, but not a ton of depth behind them and not much size, either. Butler would have as good of a shot to stick in Minnesota as anywhere else
 
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ClonesTwenty1

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From Alec Lewis on Darnold's mini camp--

Darnold looked calm, confident and prepared for what is likely to be another starting opportunity.

Thursday, he surveyed receivers in a seven-on-seven rep, then placed the ball perfectly in stride toward second-year receiver Jordan Addison. Once Addison caught the ball and turned upfield, multiple teammates who had been watching from behind Darnold yelled, “Thatta boy, Sam!”

Darnold’s consistency stood out for three days. He connected with Jefferson on a couple of over routes Wednesday, dropping the ball into hard-to-see windows. He anticipated cuts and displayed touch.

“I know firsthand how much arm talent he has,” said defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (Stanford), who played against Darnold (USC) in college. “This is the best team he’s been on. This is the best system for him. He’s hopefully going to find the ceiling of his play this season for us.”

Darnold took every first-team rep. When the Vikings split the fields between the starters and the developmental groups, he stayed with the starting group with Mullens while McCarthy and second-year man Hall trotted over to the other field.

Again, this is not a definitive sign of where McCarthy stands.
Coach KOC is going to make McCarthy work to get to where he needs to be. I have a feeling KOC wants to do this the right way with McCarthy. Doubt JJM even plays this season unless Darnold gets hurt or fully flops.
 

Mr Janny

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Sounds like Reichard, the new kicker they drafted, made some good impressions during OTAs.
Still a long way from proving it on the field, but I'll have my fingers crossed that we got a good one.

 
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somecyguy

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Hopefully this coaching staff is better than the last one at managing kickers. Actually, I'm not sure it could be worse than what Zimmer did.
 
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Mr Janny

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Acylum

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It’s like the DB position is cursed in many ways for Minnesota.