Insider Reveals Shocking Truth Behind J.J. McCarthy’s Unexpected Draft Fall

So here we are, at the crossroads of hope and skepticism, watching Minnesota Vikings’ young quarterback J.J. McCarthy wrestle with a high ankle sprain just as the NFL season truly kicks into gear. You gotta wonder—was this dazzling kid from Michigan really meant to be the franchise savior, or has the hype train left the station a stop too early? After all, beyond that electrifying fourth-quarter comeback against the Bears, McCarthy’s performances have prompted some pretty harsh whispers, including a former scout’s blunt claim that he was “grossly overhyped and overdrafted.” Is this just the growing pains of a 22-year-old adjusting to the big leagues, or a red flag waving high above U.S. Bank Stadium? Either way, as the Vikings scramble to find their footing without him, one thing’s clear: the future’s looking decidedly uncertain, and the debate over McCarthy’s true worth is only just heating up.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 14: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. — (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Vikings are heading into uncertain territory now that starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy is out with a high ankle sprain that he suffered in their Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Aside from his incredible fourth-quarter comeback against the Chicago Bears in Week 1, McCarthy has looked shaky throughout the rest of his first two NFL starts, which has led one former scout to make a harsh claim about him.

“J.J. McCarthy was grossly overhyped and overdrafted,” Daniel Kelly of First Round Mock wrote on X.

J.J. McCarthy was grossly overhyped and overdrafted.

5th round pre-draft value: https://t.co/oX4sKXTddv https://t.co/nDK9dZlauf

— FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock) September 18, 2025

After FOX Sports host Colin Cowherd wondered aloud if the Vikings can afford to wait for McCarthy to get up to speed, Kelly shared a link to an article that showed how he had a fifth-round value on him prior to the 2024 NFL Draft.

McCarthy lost one game in two years as a starter at Michigan and helped it win the national championship, so it was easy to see why he was selected No. 10 overall as part of a loaded quarterback class.

He lost last season to a meniscus injury, but he is still just 22 years old and is taking over a team that won 14 games last season with Sam Darnold at quarterback.

There were always going to be growing pains for a quarterback that young taking over a team that talented, and it’s unfortunate that he’ll now miss even more time that could have been beneficial to his development.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but at least one scout didn’t see McCarthy as a potential franchise QB.

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