The Minnesota Vikings made no secret about wanting to take a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft. Many thought they would try and make a big splash and move into the top three but the Bears, Commanders, and Patriots all seemed content staying put. At the end of the day, the team only had to move up one spot to get Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy. Scouts have praised his potential and competitive spirit. That competitive spirit was on display in his first rookie practice.
Minnesota Vikings JJ McCarthy Loses Bet In First Practice
JJ McCarthy certainly doesn’t lack confidence. In the first rookie practice for the Minnesota Vikings, he made a bet with the defense. The bet was not money but sprints. McCarthy said that if he could get through the skeleton passing drills with three or fewer completions, the defense would have to stay and do some extra work. If he had more than three incompletions, he would be the one sprinting at the end of practice. McCarthy lost the bet, which he revealed after practice.
“I’ve got to stop talking smack because it always turns out, they win in the end,” McCarthy said. “The splits were a little messed up; I obviously take full credit for the outcome of the play. But you know, just reading it outside in, I felt like I could fit in there and force it, but at this level, they’re a lot faster, a lot longer. It’s great to learn now, before the vets get here. Hopefully I won’t be in that situation anytime soon.”
McCarthy admitted that he was feeling some nerves before the first Minnesota Vikings practice. This may have led to some of the inaccuracies in the skeleton drill.
Will The Rookie QB Start In 2024?
It will be interesting to see what the Minnesota Vikings do in week 1. Sam Darnold is on the roster and is likely the leader in the clubhouse right now. However, he is by no means guaranteed the spot. Anytime a team spends a top pick on a quarterback, there is pressure to start them, especially if other quarterbacks are struggling. The Vikings have good pieces on the roster. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson, and Aaron Jones are quality weapons. On the other side of the ball, the defense overperformed last year and should improve in 2024.
If the Minnesota Vikings can get decent quarterback play, they may make some noise in the NFC North. While JJ McCarthy may not start, this interaction in the first practice is a positive. These are the kinds of interactions that build trust in a team. While he lost the bet, many members of the defense may have gained respect for the young player. McCarthy’s development will be one of the things to watch this offseason.
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