Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy finally ran into a wall. He was obviously injured on August 10, which pushed him back considerably. McCarthy went through extensive challenges in his recovery, but his resolve never faltered. Thanks to the creative tactics employed by the coaching staff, he was kept involved with the team and was able to keep honing his craft during this important period of professional growth. By leveraging technology and fostering a supportive learning environment, McCarthy turned a potentially lost season into an opportunity for growth.
After his injury, McCarthy was forced to use a post-surgery scooter. He laughed at himself remembering one time he went flying through the air when he missed the doorframe of head coach Kevin O’Connell’s office. Even though his scooter kept him from going far, it didn’t stop him from going fully engaged in team activities and meetings. Josh McCown, the quarterbacks coach, took the initiative to create a comprehensive plan to keep McCarthy involved in the team’s preparations.
McCown came up with a set of tasks that would help McCarthy participate in the game, even with his mobility issues. You were able to get access to old school game film. You watched from a one-of-a-kind lens located on the face mask of veteran quarterback Sam Darnold’s helmet. The installation of this technology provided McCarthy important window into the gameplan and Darnold’s thought process.
Beyond just her observing practice, McCarthy was an active participant in quarterback meetings. He and McCown focused on the mental aspects, using this time as a chance for mental development. As McCown said, “It’s just out of sight, out of mind.” Keeping McCarthy involved with the team, he stressed, was very important—even when he wasn’t able to suit up to compete at all.
To deepen McCarthy’s learning experience, he frequently had him teach the material back to the cohort. McCown stated, “You try to engage him as if he’s playing, and he was on top of it.” This very different approach not only entertained McCarthy but developed a collaborative culture among the quarterbacks.
New Vikings’ head coach Kevin O’Connell understood that this was a worthwhile investment of time in McCarthy’s development. He implemented an open-door policy, clearing his calendar for one hour each week to meet with the rookie quarterback on his own. We intentionally planned for these meetings to take place on Thursday afternoons. O’Connell called this timing the “sweet spot,” or the “demarcation line,” of game week. Over those sessions O’Connell pressed McCarthy with questions that cut deeper than mere play calling.
Instead, McCarthy hit the books — and used his time away from the field productively to better equip himself as a student of the game. He would often walk into O’Connell’s office after the active players had walked to the locker room. There, he studied plays and tactics very systematically. He moved in a positive direction toward receiving some great insight into the team’s game plan. This gave him the opportunity to develop his understanding of offensive strategy.
Teammate Harrison Phillips lauded McCarthy’s inquisitiveness in these sit-downs. “He was just asking those great questions,” he remarked, highlighting McCarthy’s commitment to learning. This intellectual curiosity not only demonstrated McCarthy’s dedication but validated the effectiveness of O’Connell’s and McCown’s efforts to keep him engaged.
It was crucial, according to McCown, to continue to test McCarthy on specific plays and situations. “But it helps you memorize,” he explained. “And then we’d steal moments when we would quiz him or ask him questions about it, just at random times when we could.” Though this approach pushed McCarthy to more deeply process info, it was just re-solidifying his knowledge of the most important ideas.
As McCarthy dealt with the demands of recovery, he was intent on using this time to make the most of what should be a learning opportunity. “That’s what I told him,” McCown recalled. “I was like, ‘You got to take this time to prepare like you’re the guy and figure out the things that you like and don’t like about that preparation process that’s going to help you get to where you need to go once you’re in that seat someday.’”
McCarthy’s rookie contract carries a salary cap charge of $4.9 million this season and $5.9 million in 2026, placing significant expectations on his performance moving forward. He found ways to be thankful for his new normal. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to gain a head start on the mental side of football during his recovery.
Reflecting on his journey thus far, McCarthy stated, “It’s making sure that I knew all the ins and outs and all the busy work on the front end.” This mentality is further testament to his continued dedication to not just return, but flourish when he does see the floor again.
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