We know, at least in general terms now, how much rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will play in his Vikings (preseason) debut on Saturday.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, true to his word, told reporters on Thursday the plan for all the quarterbacks, which includes a start for Sam Darnold and “significant” action for McCarthy as well as the likely end-of-game duty for second-year QB Jaren Hall.
McCarthy figures to get a bunch of work in the middle of the game, though the exact amount will be determined by game flow and other factors. For however long he is in, all eyes will be on the No. 10 overall pick in a way that a Vikings player hasn’t been scrutinized in the preseason in almost exactly a decade — something I talked about on Friday’s Daily Delivery podcast.
On Aug. 8, 2014, rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater was in a very similar position to McCarthy: a first-round pick expected to start the season as a backup behind a veteran (Matt Cassel in his case) and getting ready for his preseason debut (coincidentally, also against the Raiders, albeit in the Vikings’ temporary two-year home of what was then TCF Bank Stadium, now Huntington Bank).
Vikings writers (and in turn first-year coach Mike Zimmer) were constantly hearing this question from fans: How’s Teddy lookin’?
Cassel started the game and led the Vikings on a quick touchdown drive. Bridgewater took over from there, directing five drives (one was essentially a run-out-the-clock at the end of the first half) that resulted in a made field goal, a missed field goal and not much else. He finished 6 of 13 for 49 yards.
In a full circle moment, Christian Ponder — who had been in Bridgewater’s spot just three years prior — came in for the rest of the game. The Vikings won 10-6 in what is now an utterly forgettable game but felt like it meant the world 10 years ago.
Cassel began the year as the starting QB, but Bridgewater soon took over. What the transition looks like for the Vikings is still unknown, but it is fully expected that at some point Darnold will give way to McCarthy.
