J.J. McCarthy Reportedly 'Working on His Touch' as 'Most Everything is a Fastball'

Expanding the pitch repertoire of first-year starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy is a focus for the Minnesota Vikings in training camp, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

"The sense I get talking to people with the team is that McCarthy, with plenty of arm strength, is working on his touch," the NFL insider said. "Most everything is a fastball right now. He did throw a nice fade ball that was nearly a touchdown. The Vikings have seen glimpses but are trying to sustain momentum."

This aligns with a critique of the former Michigan star coming out of college. Bleacher Report NFL scout Derrik Klassen called him a "one-speed thrower with average arm talent."

McCarthy's torn meniscus put him behind the learning curve. While he remained with the team and worked closely with coaches, there's no substitute for on-field reps and in-game action.

"You definitely have to have patience," Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson said to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. "He's pretty much a rookie. Last year pretty much doesn't count for him. He's still new to the scheme, new to coming out here and throwing to these different receivers. So you have to have that patience."

From that standpoint, it's no surprise the 2024 first-round pick is still understanding the finer nuances of which throws do and don't require some touch.

Having the requisite arm strength is the biggest thing. It's much easier for a player to throttle back their velocity rather than build it up.

As long as the Vikings coaching staff trusts McCarthy to make longer throws down the field with good accuracy, they should be able to work backward from there.