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Vikings Back J.J. McCarthy as Mechanics and Turnovers Draw Scrutiny Before Packers Road Test

Coaches and Justin Jefferson call for patience with the first-year starter as he describes a difficult effort to rewire habits that has intensified outside chatter about adding a veteran option.

Overview

  • Through five starts, McCarthy is completing 52.9% with a 61.7 passer rating and six touchdowns against eight interceptions, and Minnesota’s offense has fallen to bottom-tier rankings in yards, EPA and success rate entering Week 12.
  • McCarthy said he is relearning how to play the position, describing the process as “rewiring neurological pathways,” and he also pointed to decision-making and posture/footwork as areas he must improve.
  • Dan Orlovsky highlighted overstriding, flat shoulders and a flying lead leg as accuracy killers, while The Athletic’s Alec Lewis noted that meaningful biomechanical fixes typically require extensive offseason work.
  • Justin Jefferson publicly defended McCarthy’s ability and mindset, and Kevin O’Connell emphasized the need for repeatable fundamentals as he declined to entertain benching talk.
  • Game previews frame Sunday at Green Bay as a measure of McCarthy’s volatility, with the Packers aiming to pressure and disguise coverages, and some reports speculate the Vikings could explore a veteran competitor such as Mac Jones in 2026.