...
By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
J.J. McCarthy’s future as the starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings is very much in doubt — at least that seems to be the consensus among most national analysts.
However, one Vikings legend isn’t as convinced.
In fact, Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter believes that despite getting “very average quarterback play” out of McCarthy this season, the team is tied to him for the foreseeable future because they invested the No. 10 overall pick two years ago on him and let Sam Darnold walk in free agency despite coming off a Pro Bowl season last year.
Read More on NFL
More News: Bills Announce Major Josh Allen News Ahead of Patriots Rematch
...
“The Vikings are stuck with J.J.,” Carter told Kyle Odegard in an interview for Cardplayer.com. “They just drafted him two years ago, and they are stuck with him. There’s really no legitimate Plan B right now. … All this stuff about trading for another guy — they don’t have the cap space. They spent so much cash this year on the rest of the team so they could have a quarterback on a rookie contract.
“They decided J.J. McCarthy was going to be their guy, and that’s not going to stop at the end of the season.”
It’s no secret McCarthy has had his share of injury concerns.
He missed his entire rookie year after suffering a meniscus tear during the preseason of his rookie year, and he was sidelined for five games with a high-ankle sprain and another because of a concussion this season.
More News: Michigan Hit With Damaging Accusations After Sherrone Moore Firing
...
More News: Jaxson Dart Has Strong Reaction to Lane Kiffin Leaving Ole Miss Before CFP
But even when he has been healthy, McCarthy has done little to inspire the coaching staff to believe they’ve found their long-term answer under center. In seven starts this season, McCarthy’s thrown for 1,092 yards, nine touchdowns, and 10 interceptions with a pedestrian 67.4 passer rating. Minnesota is 3-4 in those games.
So, what’s the solution for the Vikings? Carter believes it's bringing in a capable backup quarterback to either push McCarthy to improve or eventually take his job.
“I think they should bring in a vet anyway as competition,” Carter stated. “You can’t depend on him not to get hurt. He’s only had a handful of starts, but his ability to avoid contact in a short period of time has not proven to be good. So you’re going to have to have a veteran there, someone who’s proven in case he gets injured.
“And you’re going to have competition, because that’s what makes players better. I’ve been released, so I always thought I was auditioning. Every game after that, every game and every practice, I thought I was auditioning. So I don’t know why he would be thinking anything but that.”
More News: Chip Kelly Interviewed for Job With Major College Football Program
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines