J.J. McCarthy's NFL Goals Compared to Winning Masters, PGA Events, Says Private Coach

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is focused on developing his passing arsenal as he enters his rookie season.

John Beck, a private quarterbacks coach who worked with McCarthy on several occasions, compared the signal-caller's approach to his first NFL season to goals that golfers have during events such as The Masters.

"J.J. McCarthy's goals are to win games on a tour like the Masters and the PGA," Beck told Alec Lewis of The Athletic. "You're not going to win those tournaments if you don't have the full arsenal of clubs in your bag and are elite with all of them. He knows that. The Vikings do, too."

McCarthy's arm strength was one of the main reasons why the Vikings selected him with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft.

During the scouting combine leading up to the draft, the 21-year-old showed off his arm when the hardest throw by each quarterback was recorded. McCarthy topped out at 61 mph, the second-best mark among passers at the combine.

He's also coming off an impressive junior campaign at Michigan, helping the Wolverines secure an undefeated season. McCarthy completed 72.3 percent of his throws for 2,991 yards, racking up 22 touchdown passes compared to a mere four interceptions.

While his arm strength should translate to the professional level fairly well, it's clear that both McCarthy and the Vikings' front office are focused on adding throws that require more finesse to his repertoire ahead of the regular season.