Vikings LB shares what's promising about QB J.J. McCarthy

Linebacker Blake Cashman is among members of the Minnesota Vikings impressed by what rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy showed during springtime workouts.

"Yeah, 21 years old but a great young man," Cashman said about McCarthy during a Monday appearance on "The Jim Rome Show," as shared by Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "He’s a leader. He is eager to learn. A lot of young guys, sometimes they can come in, be a little timid or shy. But he’s walking around the locker room, big smile on his face, shaking hands, getting to know everybody."

The Vikings lost starting signal-caller Kirk Cousins to free agency and to the Atlanta Falcons before Minnesota signed veteran Sam Darnold in March. 

While the Vikings later moved up a spot in this year's draft order to select McCarthy via the 10th overall pick, Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell seems comfortable keeping the first-year pro a spectator through the fall.

"I didn’t realize how much heat he could put on the ball," Cashman said about McCarthy. "He’s got a great long ball. And even those tight windows, which close fast at the next level — he can zip the ball past a linebacker or safety’s head and squeeze it in those tight windows. And that’s very promising to see."

Vikings reporter Alec Lewis of The Athletic suggested last week that there is "a scenario in which [McCarthy] shouldn’t be expected to start at all this year" over Darnold. Such a comment may spark concerns about how the rookie is developing under O'Connell, but Cashman seemingly poured cold water over those worries.

"He’s going to be a great player for a long time," Cashman added about McCarthy. "I can’t wait to continue to see his growth — not only his development as a quarterback [and] the skills, but also become an even smarter player."

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed McCarthy fourth among the betting favorites at +1500 odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award this season. 

The Vikings enter their bye in Week 6 and could use that extra time to get McCarthy ready to start the Week 7 home game versus the Detroit Lions on Oct. 20 depending on how Darnold performs across the season's first five matchups.