Vikings veterans insist they're keeping their faith in young star's future

Vikings veterans insist they're keeping their faith in young star's future originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After playing just six games in his young NFL career, Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy may be one of the most polarizing players in football. Selected as the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, he was injured all of last season. He returned this season anointed as the team's starter and future franchise QB. Unfortunately for the 22-year-old and his team, it hasn't gone that way so far.

McCarthy will sit this Sunday due to injury, as the Vikings (4-7) will take on the Seattle Seahawks (8-3). Despite his injuries and inconsistent play, the promising passer got a vote of confidence from two of his veteran teammates this week, according to a report from ESPN's Kevin Seifert.

"It's early," two-time All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson said. "He's new to the game. He's new to the NFL. He's learning just like everyone else has to learn as a rookie, and he obviously had to go through the mental stage of having to overcome an injury the first year."

"So, just a tough transition for him. But I feel like just him learning these past couple games, and of course learning [during] the stretch of this season, I feel like he's going to bounce back in a different way than everybody else is going to think so."

Running back Aaron Jones, said he has expressed to McCarthy that he's handled the adversity well, despite all his struggles this season.

"I told him that the ones who counted you out, they're going to have to recount," Jones said.

McCarthy experienced concussion symptoms on the flight home from Green Bay on Sunday night, and was limited in practice Wednesday. Backup Max Brosmer will take the snaps in his place.

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McCarthy has shown flashes of brilliance

Stephen Maturen

There's a good reason that teammates are holding out hope for JJ McCarthy. They have seen on the field what he's capable of doing when things are working well. In his first start agianst the Chicago Bears, he caotured NFL Offensive Player of the Week. In that contest, he threw for 143 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for a touchdown as Minnesota beat the Bears, 27-24.

He also led the Vikings to a dramatic win over Detroit on Nov 2, which gave many fans hope he could somehow save thi season. Unfortunately, the team hasn't won since, dropping three games in a row while McCarthy put up paltry numbers and was beaten up by NFL defenses.

While Brosmer will be under center this week, it's widely believed that McCarthy will return to the lineup in Week 14 when the Vikes face the Washington Commanders.