Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy threw his first career touchdown pass on Saturday, a beautiful 45-yarder with superstar teammate Justin Jefferson shouting on the mic.
Jefferson was in the middle of an interview with the Vikings’ television crew when McCarthy lofted a pass. “All right, here we go!” Jefferson said.
The receivers then sprinted along the sideline yelling “Let’s go!” and Triston Jackson ran into the end zone.
The Vikings selected McCarthy, a former University of Michigan Wolverines player, with the 10th pick in April’s NFL draft.
With the NFL entering its first weekend of preseason in early August, rookie quarterbacks are the talk of the town. Six of the first 12 picks were selected in April’s draft. McCarthy was the fifth pick, and the 10th overall pick in the first round. The Vikings used their high pick to acquire McCarthy as they searched for the future face of their franchise.
But on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium, Sam Darnold was the star, at least on the opening snaps.
The Vikings must find a replacement for Kirk Cousins, who signed with the Falcons in the offseason, and Minnesota optioned Darnold, a former Jets and Panthers starter, from the 49ers before drafting McCarthy.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell announced the team’s “unofficial” roster earlier this week, with Darnold on the first team, McCarthy on the second team, Nick Mullens on the third team and Jalen Hall on the fourth team. O’Connell sent Hall to the game after McCarthy’s tenure ended.
Meanwhile, the Vikings aren’t going to risk Jefferson, the NFL’s best receiver, in their preseason opener. Jefferson signed a record four-year, $140 million contract this summer. His $35 million annual salary makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. So Jefferson could be on the field for the entire third quarter.
The highlight, of course, was McCarthy’s throwing technique, which will likely be a distant memory for most by the time the season starts next month, but McCarthy will always remember the moment he threw his first touchdown pass and saw his star receiver run down the sideline screaming for joy as he scored.
McCarthy scored his second touchdown of the game late in the third quarter, an incident he’ll never forget.
