Time for a little finesse.
Vikings' QB J.J. McCarthy is trying to learn a pitch other than a fastball originally appeared on The Sporting News
J.J. McCarthy is in a tough spot, sort of. He's also in an easy spot, sort of.
The Minnesota Vikings' second-year quarterback is coming off a knee injury that forced him to miss his entire rookie season, and he's been handed the keys to the offense. Not easy.
He's also stepping into a team that was one of the best in football a year ago, one that has a bevy of weapons, led by Justin Jefferson. Easier.
It's really on McCarthy to step into his role and be good enough.
There were already at least whispers of concerns when he was the No. 10 overall pick about Michigan, as some pundits wondered whether he had even thrown the ball enough with the Wolverines to be worthy of that draft position.
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McCarthy's passing continues to impress at Vikings camp, but there's one thing he needs to get better at.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that McCarthy needs to throw a few changeups:
"The sense I get talking to people with the team is that McCarthy, with plenty of arm strength, is working on his touch. 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."
It's natural for a young QB, especially against the speed of an NFL defense, to always want to get the ball to its destination as fast as possible.
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Some of the best quarterbacks ever didn't have huge arms, though. They knew exactly how to throw the football to get it where it needed to be on time and on target.
McCarthy will learn that as he goes along, and any little progress is a good thing. His pitch selection could make all the difference in how good the Vikings can be in 2025.
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