J.J. McCarthy deserves patience, not panic, after four NFL starts
Four starts into his pro career, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has performed exactly like a guy who has, well, only made four starts since entering the NFL in 2024.
In his four games this season, McCarthy has completed 53.7 percent of his passes for 692 yards, five touchdowns, and six interceptions. He's also rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns in his four appearances in the Vikings' starting lineup this year.
Despite McCarthy's struggles, which were to be expected, Minnesota has come away with wins in two of his four starts this season.
Still, some are already beginning to think about alternative signal-caller options for the Vikings in the near future, including ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio, who recently shared that he believes the team needs to have a quarterback competition next year to get the most out of McCarthy.
Thankfully, NBC Sports' Chris Simms fired back at Florio and made sure to remind everyone that Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell needs to do a better job at setting his young quarterback up for success each week.
"They've got to help out a little bit, too. Again, he can't be the leading rusher.
He can't be the leading rusher and the leading passer and do everything, and this, to me, goes back on the Vikings and Kevin O'Connell.
Last week, they helped them out. Yeah, special teams were big. The defense made some plays. They ran the ball. And then he made a few plays to go along with that. He's still a rookie. And that's the way it has to be.
Yesterday was like, 'Hey, it's your fourth start ever. Can you carry us to victory against Baltimore, who's on fire and foaming out of their mouth?' And I just don't think that's fair to him right there.
So that's where I just say, 'Let's just wait it out just a little longer before you try to walk him off the plank. Okay?'”
Let Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy learn how to fix his mistakes before deeming him a failure
In the days since Minnesota's loss to the Ravens, plenty have taken up the opportunity to jump ship on McCarthy ever developing into a good quarterback in the NFL. But four starts just isn't enough to accurately predict how a quarterback's future is going to turn out.
Plenty of underwhelming signal-callers from the recent past have put up great numbers in their first four NFL starts under center, while several elite quarterbacks began their pro careers in a similar fashion to McCarthy.
— Adam Patrick (@adampatrickNFL) November 11, 2025Passer Rating through first 4 NFL starts (minimum 50 attempts):
Jake Browning - 109.3
Kyle Allen - 108.3
Tommy DeVito - 103.8
Bailey Zappe - 103.1
Gardner Minshew - 101.0J.J. McCarthy - 65.8
Matthew Stafford - 65.5
Joe Flacco - 61.9
Josh Allen - 61.0
Peyton Manning - 52.1🤷♂️
Yes, the day and age we live has increased the want for instant gratification, but the development of a young quarterback isn't something that typically allows for that.
At best, the majority of a young passer's first few starts are full of more negatives than positives. The the time in the following offseason is then spent on fixing the quarterback's biggest issues, and if any noticeable improvements are made, then in year two, the play of the signal-caller should begin to feature more postives than negatives each week.
But this constant rush to judgement about McCarthy's future with the Vikings is already as getting out of control. It's no different than those who stand up immediately after a plane has landed, despite having to wait for the majority of the passengers to exit before they can get off.
What's the hurry? Let the kid figure out how to be a quarterback in the NFL before declaring he's a gigantic bust.
If McCarthy eventually ends up not living up to the expectations that came with being the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft, then that's fine. But for now, he's deserving of more time and patience as he attempts to figure out if he has what it takes to become Minnesota's next great quarterback.
NFL Legend Jon Batiste Unexpectedly Defends Geno Smith Amid Intense Backlash: “What’s Happening to Geno Smith Is an Injustice to Football” – His Statement Immediately Sends Raiders Nation Into an Uproar
Las Vegas, Nevada – November 13, 2025 – Amid swirling controversy surrounding Geno Smith’s potential return to the field, a powerful and unexpected voice has risen to defend the embattled quarterback. Renowned musician Jon Batiste, a figure not typically associated with the Las Vegas Raiders, has become an unlikely champion for Smith at a time when the veteran signal-caller's future with the Raiders hangs in the balance.
Smith, who has been sidelined with an injury, has faced mounting criticism regarding his readiness for the upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs. As the debate intensifies, a significant portion of Raiders fans and analysts are skeptical about his return. Questions surrounding his full recovery have been raised, with many wondering if he is truly fit to lead the Raiders back into contention. The team’s backup quarterback, QB2, has also impressed during Smith’s absence, earning the trust of both the coaching staff and fans. With this in mind, some fear that Smith’s return is being driven more by the weight of expectation than actual physical preparedness.
Enter Jon Batiste, the larger-than-life musician who has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, even on issues outside of his usual domain. In a rare statement regarding Smith, Batiste expressed his support with a powerful message that instantly resonated across the sports world.
“What’s happening to Geno Smith is an injustice to football,” Batiste declared, his voice filled with passion and conviction. “People forget that this man has battled back from the brink of obscurity, proven himself time and time again, and now faces unjust scrutiny. You don’t judge a warrior just because he’s faced setbacks.”
Batiste’s words quickly reverberated through social media, sparking a wave of support for Smith from Raiders fans and analysts alike. The statement was shared thousands of times, with many fans thanking Batiste for his bold defense of their quarterback. It was a reminder of Smith’s resilience, his journey from backup to Pro Bowler, and his unwavering commitment to the Raiders’ Super Bowl aspirations.
The timing of Batiste’s remarks could not have been more crucial. With uncertainty hanging over Smith’s return, his injury, and the team’s playoff hopes, Batiste’s impassioned defense has altered the narrative. The conversation has shifted from skepticism to loyalty, with Raiders Nation rallying behind Smith, not just as a player, but as a symbol of perseverance and leadership.
As Batiste aptly put it, “This is not the time for blame — this is the time for loyalty.” His words have not only helped shift the perspective on Smith’s injury but have also galvanized a fan base that was once divided.
The upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs has now become much more than a simple football match. It is a test of Smith’s physical readiness, yes, but also a deeper test of faith. The Raiders will face their division rivals with more than just playoff implications on the line. They will be fighting for the belief in their leader, and as Batiste’s stirring words suggest, this battle is about far more than X’s and O’s—it’s about loyalty, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of a quarterback who has proven time and time again that he is more than capable of rising to the occasion.
With Batiste’s unexpected support echoing through the halls of Raiders Nation, one thing is certain: this team stands united behind Geno Smith. The rest, as they say, will be history.
