NFL Coach Defends J.J. McCarthy, Reveals How Many Starts Needed To Evaluate QB1

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has drawn plenty of scrutiny during his first season as an NFL starter, but another team's coach believes fans and the NFC North team should give him more time before finalizing their opinion.

"There is nothing wrong with the truth," the coach said in a Monday report from Mike Sando of The Athletic. "J.J. is on the sixth start of his career, and it's going to take 30 til we know, so we don't have to bury anyone or crown them, either."

Minnesota selected the Michigan product with the No. 10 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft, but he missed his entire rookie season with an injury. Despite that setback, the Vikings made him their starter for the 2025 campaign.

The result has been a mixed bag, as he is 3-4 as a starter while completing 56 percent of his passes for 1,092 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Fans have made him into something of a punchline at times when he struggles, often poking fun at his nickname "Nine."

But he looked much better in Sunday's win over the Washington Commanders.

▶️ Full Commanders-Vikings Recap

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McCarthy went 16-of-23 for 163 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions while avoiding many of the mistakes that cost him in previous starts. The result was a straightforward 31-0 victory, underscoring how dangerous the Vikings can still be when their quarterback doesn't turn the ball over.

The flashes of potential are encouraging for Minnesota, but McCarthy will have to show more consistency if he is going to live up to his potential and the team is going to be a realistic contender in the coming years.

Yet that may require patience, which isn't always easy to sell to a fanbase that sees so much win-now talent at the other positions on the roster.