JJ McCarthy throwing a footballJJ McCarthy (jjmccarthy/Instagram)
JJ McCarthy is looking forward to competing in the NFL after helping Michigan win its first national title since 1997.

But, if the rumors are to be believed, he could have a long wait to see the field.

According to the NFL Notifications account on Twitter/X, the quarterback had been struggling in practice as of Wednesday. In fact, things got so bad that he received an earful from his coaches about his ball protection at some point.

McCarthy was drafted at No. 10 overall in April, with the Minnesota Vikings bringing him in as the signal-caller they hope to make the face of their franchise. But he may or may not have gotten off to a very slow start.

Interestingly, other reports don’t paint such a poor picture of McCarthy’s prospects.

 

He is reported to have gone 7-for-8 in seven-on-seven and 9-for-10 in teamwork earlier in the week. It should be noted, however, that he was throwing to backups while Sam Darnold trained with the starters.

 

The Vikings Are Looking to Change JJ McCarthy’s Mechanics

The Vikings haven’t revealed anything indicating that their rookie is struggling but have disclosed that they are working on changing an element of his footwork.

The team wants JJ McCarthy standing with his left foot slightly forward when taking snaps out of the shotgun. That’s a different setup from the stance he used at Michigan.

“We’ve got him with the left foot up stance, which is a little different for him,” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said earlier this week.

 “So just kind of adjusting how you’re used to standing in the gun, with your left foot up or if you’re used to more of a square stance or some people are right foot up. Trying to get everybody kind of on the same page with how we do it and how it times up with all of our concepts. He’s doing well with it thus far.”

According to Kevin Seifert of ESPN, the team hasn’t ruled McCarthy out as their starter for opening week. However, they “want his ascension to be organic” rather than starting him because they don’t have a better option.

Former ESPN Host Michelle Beadle Had Some Brutal Things To Say To Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker

Harrison Butker in uniform. Michelle Beadle posing in red sweater.Harrison Butker and Michelle Beadle (Photos via Getty Images)
Harrison Butker’s speech at a college has provoked debate, ire, and controversy, and now, a former ESPN host is speaking out against him.

Kicker Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs delivered the commencement speech to Benedictine College alumni on May 11, and nothing but backlash has followed him ever since.

He stated that Pride Month was a “deadly sin,” denounced abortion rights, and told women they had been given “the most diabolical lies” during his lecture to a private Catholic liberal arts institution in Kansas.

The Kansas City Chiefs kicker told women during his sexist commencement speech last weekend that their “most important title” should be “homemaker.”

“How many of you are sitting here now, about to cross this stage, and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world,” Butker said. “But I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”

“I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and a mother. … I’m beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker.”