Why Vikings' J.J. McCarthy feels like 'a cork about to come off a bottle'

The struggles of second-year Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy have generated discussions regarding whether or not he can be a long-term answer at the position for the club that has fallen to 4-6 on the season. 

On Wednesday, McCarthy shared his mindset amid rumors suggesting Minnesota could look for his replacement during the upcoming offseason. 

J.J. McCarthy feels he's "really close" to getting where he wants to be

"I kind of make the analogy of just a cork about to come off a bottle," McCarthy explained, per Kevin Seifert of ESPN. "Just understanding that it's one-to-three little things that I need to change about my game that is going to make a huge difference in the outcome of every single drive in the game. So yeah, I feel like it's really close, but it all comes down to the consistency of the fundamentals."

According to Pro Football Reference, McCarthy ranks last in the NFL among qualified players with a 52.9 percent completion percentage, a 61.7 passer rating and a 26.6 adjusted QBR for the season. That said, the 2024 first-round draft pick has still only made five career regular-season starts. He spent his rookie campaign recovering from a full meniscus repair and then missed time this fall because of an ankle issue. 

"It was really just the injuries that I felt kind of took away all those reps," McCarthy acknowledged, "in the constant repetition to make those a habit and make them concrete like [head coach Kevin O'Connell] talks about. But yeah, I feel like it's just the repetitions. How many times could I go home, and every time I take the dogs out, I'm getting 10 drops each time. Little things like that where I just keep getting the reps."

J.J. McCarthy is "rewiring neurological pathways" amid development

Also on Wednesday, multiple NFL insiders mentioned that the Vikings could explore trading for San Francisco 49ers backup Mac Jones following the season. Jones is under contract through 2026, and the 49ers hope to have a healthy Brock Purdy atop their depth chart for the foreseeable future. 

As for McCarthy, he seemingly is trying to ignore what's being said and written about his in-game performances.

"You're rewiring neurological pathways," McCarthy added, "and that's not something that happens overnight. So just understanding in giving myself that grace, that patience that I might not have it today, but it's something I'm going to continue to strive after day after day, rep after rep and get to the place where we all want me to be."

As of Thursday morning, ESPN BET had the Vikings as six-point road underdogs for their game at the Green Bay Packers (6-3-1) this Sunday.