J.J. McCarthy entered the NFL with the goal of proving he could be more than just a game manager and showing he has the potential to become a franchise quarterback. His debut for the Minnesota Vikings in the preseason game against the Raiders was a step in that direction.
In that game, McCarthy played most of the match, leading the Vikings on six drives. He impressed with his athleticism, smart decision-making, and strong arm, showcasing the skills that made him a top pick. While he did make a critical mistake, his ability to recover and perform well afterward was a positive sign for the Vikings.
For those interested in McCarthy’s first professional appearance, here are his stats and highlights from the preseason game.
J.J. McCarthy stats today
In his NFL preseason debut against the Raiders, J.J. McCarthy played six drives for the Minnesota Vikings, the most of any 2024 first-round quarterback in Week 1, with Bo Nix scheduled to play later.
McCarthy faced a tough challenge early on, dealing with intense pressure from the Raiders’ solid pass rush. Despite a rough start and an interception during his second drive, he showed resilience and improved as the game progressed. By the second half, he completed 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, including impressive long touchdown passes to Trishton Jackson and Trent Sherfield.
It’s important to note that McCarthy’s success in the second half came against the Raiders’ backup defense. His performance was inconsistent in the first half, reflecting the difficulty he faced against the Raiders’ starting defensive line.
| Stat | Total |
| Comp/Attempt (%) | 11/17 (64.7%) |
| Passing yards | 188 |
| Passing TDs | 2 |
| INTs | 1 |
| Yards/attempt | 11.1 |
| Passer rating | 116.8 |
J.J. McCarthy highlights vs. Raiders
J.J. McCarthy maneuvers in the pocket and finds Jalen Nailor for 18-yards!
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J.J. McCarthy’s NFL preseason debut against the Raiders showcased both his potential and areas for growth. His first completion was a solid 18-yard gain to Jalen Nailor on a first-and-15, demonstrating his pocket mobility and ability to avoid pressure from Raiders’ Janarius Robinson.
However, his first drive ended with a setback. Facing pressure on a third-and-8, McCarthy attempted a risky throw to Trishton Jackson while being hit, resulting in an interception by a Raiders defensive back. While the pressure wasn’t entirely his fault, he might have been better off throwing the ball away instead of forcing the pass.
McCarthy bounced back on his second drive with his longest pass of the day, a 24-yarder to Jackson despite heavy pressure. This drive ended with a 48-yard touchdown to Kene Nwangwu, showcasing McCarthy’s arm strength and accuracy.
During his third drive, McCarthy demonstrated his ability to evade the pass rush and scramble for a first down on a third-and-5, followed by a precise throw to Jackson downfield. His connection with Jackson continued into the second half, with McCarthy hitting him for a touchdown on the first drive back from halftime.
On his sixth drive, McCarthy delivered another impressive play, finding Trent Sherfield for a second touchdown. Despite his earlier interception, McCarthy’s ability to recover and perform well in subsequent drives is promising.
McCarthy mostly played against backups, so his performance could improve further with Minnesota’s starters in front of him. His debut indicates potential for growth and gives Vikings fans reason to be optimistic about his future as a franchise quarterback.
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