McCarthy shines in Vikings practice

J.J. McCarthy showed poise and quick decisions against the Patriots in a joint practice, signaling potential for Minnesota's offense.

Vikings and Patriots joint practice showcases McCarthy poise

In Eagan, Minnesota, the Vikings practiced with the New England Patriots in a session that doubled as an early test for J.J. McCarthy. He connected with tight end T.J. Hockenson over the middle, then dumped a screen to Aaron Jones. After a few negative plays left the offense in a third-and-long, McCarthy escaped pressure and sprinted up the right sideline. The decisive moment came on fourth down when McCarthy drilled an in-breaker to Jordan Addison to convert. Addison and right tackle Brian O’Neill both praised the sequence after practice.

McCarthy was not flawless. He sailed a seven-on-seven pass intended for Jalen Nailor, and Hockenson later snagged a throw that McCarthy admitted wasn’t perfectly accurate. A late moment had two Patriots linebackers crowd the line, and McCarthy’s change of play could not fully contain the pressure. Still, coach Kevin O’Connell framed the session as a meaningful checkpoint for the quarterback, stressing improvements and learning moments as the Vikings prepare for the next evaluative window. O’Neill noted McCarthy’s ability to mix up cadences and maintain energy in the huddle, saying the signal-caller felt “totally in control.” The plan for the next practice remains to see how those traits translate in tighter spaces and live reps.

This joint practice functions as a real-world lab for McCarthy, not a polished film session. The two-minute drill format tests timing, decision speed, and how clean the pocket looks under pressure. Minnesota is balancing optimism about McCarthy’s quick trigger with a reminder that accuracy and pocket presence still matter. The team is also leaning into a heavier run game to support development, a strategic bet that a more complete offense could accelerate McCarthy’s growth. The overall takeaway is cautious progress: leadership under fire plus a few blemishes that will sharpen the coaching staff’s plan in camp.

Highlights

Momentum will hinge on translating practice poise into game rhythm