Analyst Rejects Colin Cowherd’s ‘C-QB’ Grade for J.J. McCarthy: “He Still Has Kevin O’Connell And Justin Jefferson” originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Colin Cowherd has been a vocal critic of J.J. McCarthy, even before the 2024 NFL draftee set foot on the field. After losing his rookie season due to a torn meniscus, which opened the door for Sam Darnold to lead the team to a 14-win season, McCarthy is back and ready to emulate or improve Darnold’s performance.
The Fox Sports analyst isn’t sold on the former Michigan Wolverines product, who recorded 482 completions for 6226 yards and 49 touchdowns against only 11 interceptions in three years.
During Wednesday’s edition of “The Colin Cowherd Podcast,” the analyst sent a grim message to the Minnesota Vikings fans, telling them that McCarthy isn’t the player they think he is.
“J.J. McCarthy, you’re going to see it very quickly. Is not what people think,” Cowherd said. “J.J. McCarthy is a C quarterback. You ever seen J.J. McCarthy’s fourth quarter college stats and playing from behind fourth quarter stats in college, with Michigan and Harbaugh and that O-line? They’re terrible.”
This remark didn’t sit well with many Vikings fans, whose hopes and expectations lay on how McCarthy fares in his first active season. Danny Parkins instantly rejected Cowherd’s notion, noting that the way the roster is constructed and the people around McCarthy, he still has a solid chance to be successful.
“Let’s say you’re right about J.J. McCarthy,” Parkins said. “He still has Kevin O’Connell, Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson. J.J. McCarthy doesn’t need to be awesome in order for that offense to be pretty good. And let’s say Minnesota’s the worst team in the division or if the Bears are the worst team in the division. That’s a pretty tough worst team.”
“J.J. McCarthy is not what people think”@colincowherd & @DannyParkins on how the Vikings QB will fare pic.twitter.com/wgl3ZrdbdF
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) July 25, 2025
Cowherd previously criticized Jordan Love, but it seems as though he has a new favorite target in the NFC North division. McCarthy was the 10th overall pick in last year’s draft and the expectations are high for his career.
It was reported that he spent a lot of time in the building while he recovered from his meniscus injury, which allowed him to learn more about the offense and defense. The Detroit Lions, Green Packers, Vikings and Bears have something to prove this season, which can make their division the best in football.
Related: Vikings’ Justin Jefferson Reacts to NFL, Sam Darnold Announcement
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.