It's been just over a year since the Minnesota Vikings drafted Michigan Wolverines football legend J.J. McCarthy No. 10 overall with the clear idea that he would be the franchise’s signal-caller of the future.
McCarthy was on track to be the fourth rookie quarterback from his class to start the campaign under center for his team, but he suffered a torn meniscus that kept him out the entire year.
McCarthy is back in the fold and looking for a bounce-back sophomore season, but the buzz around the collegiate national champion has soured a bit heading into the summer.
Local beat reporters have expressed concerns about his decision-making in practice, and others have even questioned his arm talent.
One prominent NFL analyst broke down the latest on McCarthy's standing in Minnesota.
While appearing on FOX Sports' "The Herd," Albert Breer shared his insight on the Vikings' young QB.
"After last season ended, he's been in there every day; he's doing his best; he's put the weight back on," Breer said. "Is he going to snap his fingers and be what Jayden Daniels was last year? No, but that was never the Vikings' plan anyway. The whole idea is that they don't need McCarthy to be a great player; he needs to be a bus driver. They'll eventually need more from him, but the here and now is for him to keep the train on the tracks."
Some fans might find it difficult to stomach using a premium pick to draft a system quarterback, but that's who McCarthy was at Michigan. The Wolverines’ staff never asked him to do too much, but when they needed that next level, he often proved he could rise to the occasion.
There should be valid concerns if McCarthy looks shaky with pads on and has a lackluster preseason.
For now, it's far too early in the off-season cycle to make a fair judgment of his pro potential.