The Vikings are under scrutiny for their decision not to play J.J. McCarthy in their second preseason game, with just weeks before his first career start.

Michigan had a top running back (Blake Corum – 258/1,245/27 with 16 catches for 117 yards and one touchdown). McCarthy completed 50 passes to running backs in 2023 (19.2% of the team’s completions). His top wideout (Roman Wilson) caught 48 passes for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Vikings drafted McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

It will be an entertaining 2025 season to monitor for the Minnesota Vikings. With a new starting quarterback in J.J. McCarthy to lead the Vikings offense, head coach Kevin O'Connell will look to continue their success throwing the football.

At one point during Thursday's joint practice with the New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy reportedly completed 13 consecutive passes.

J.J. McCarthy made a solid return for the Vikings, completing 4 of 7 passes for 30 yards in a preseason win over the Houston Texans.

The Vikings and Patriots just held their first of two joint training camp practices on a beautiful afternoon at TCO Performance Center. Fans packed the stands to watch as the Vikings got an opportunity to test themselves against a different opponent in a practice setting after weeks of battling each other.

Here are more takeaways from Day 17 of training camp: There wasn’t much to write home about when analyzing McCarthy’s progress as most of the practice was conducted at a walkthrough pace. He went through his progressions mostly at half speed with head coach Kevin O’Connell looking on.

The Minnesota Vikings are preparing for JJ McCarthy's first season, and Kevin O'Connell is encouraged by what he is seeing.