Vikings' J.J. McCarthy 'decisive' in joint practice with Patriots, won't play in second preseason game

At one point during Thursday's joint practice with the New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy reportedly completed 13 consecutive passes. That flurry of connections featured six touchdowns, four of which came in the red zone, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert, a longtime Vikings reporter who described McCarthy's practice performance as his "sharpest" to date.

Fourth-year head coach Kevin O'Connell was asked about McCarthy's completion streak Thursday.

"I did not know that," O'Connell said with a smile.

He joked that it's the one time he's thankful reporters were tracking stats at practice.

"To go out there and execute the way he did, it felt decisive," O'Connell said Thursday of McCarthy. "It felt [like there was] an incredible amount of conviction to some of the decisions that he made, location of the football. There's a lot to build on."

McCarthy won't play in the Vikings' second preseason game, a Saturday exhibition versus the Patriots. Last week, in his first game action of any kind since recovering from a torn left meniscus that sidelined him his rookie year, he played one series against the Houston Texans and showcased some good throws and then some others that were off the mark on a drive that ended in a field goal. That continued what's been reported as an up-and-down training camp for McCarthy.

Wednesday was more of the same, as McCarthy turned in consistent results against unscouted looks from the Patriots. But, in more of a game plan situation, he appeared to turn the corner Thursday.

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Seifert reported that McCarthy piled up about 60 snaps in 11-on-11 periods during Minnesota's joint practices with New England this week. 

O'Connell discussed McCarthy making tight-window passes in the red zone, where he also put the ball where only his receiver can get it on other occasions Thursday. Additionally, O'Connell noted the moments in Thursday's practice when the second-year signal-caller led his receivers into open grass and hit them with touch. 

"All things we've been working on, all things he's talented at and capable of doing," O'Connell said. "But to do it in this setting should give him some confidence moving forward."

The stakes will be much higher on Sept. 8 when the Vikings open the regular season on Monday Night Football at the Chicago Bears. O'Connell knows that, and so does McCarthy, who is often his own harshest critic and is always looking to perfect his craft. 

"I felt like the ball placement was a lot more accurate today than yesterday," the Michigan product and 2023 national champion said Thursday, via the team's website. 

"Still, a lot of throws that I want back and could put in better spots. But at the end of the day, I feel like we were just functioning very well, the 1s and 2s."

McCarthy said the offense "was humming as a whole" and partly attributed its success to the offensive line's physicality and, subsequently, the effectiveness of the run game.

His development, though, is what's under the microscope in Minnesota. After Sam Darnold guided the Vikings back to the playoffs with a 14-3 record, they let him walk in free agency.

Minnesota is committed to McCarthy, and Thursday's practice was a glimpse at the upside O'Connell and Co. bought in on.