Colin Cowherd Makes Unusual Comparison Between Training a Puppy and Being Patient with JJ McCarthy
Colin Cowherd is willing to show patience when it comes to training a puppy, but he doesn’t think the Minnesota Vikings have the luxury of being patient with second-year quarterback JJ McCarthy.
McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season due to a knee injury, is now tasked with running the offense for one of the league’s most talented teams. While it’s common for young quarterbacks to need time to develop, Cowherd argued that the clock is ticking for McCarthy to prove himself.
“I’ll be patient potty training a puppy, but JJ McCarthy doesn’t get to pee on the carpet. He’s got to perform,” Cowherd said on his FS1 show. “In the next seven to eight weeks, I need to see something.”
Unfortunately for McCarthy, his rookie season was spent holding a clipboard instead of getting valuable live-game reps. The Vikings opted not to re-sign Sam Darnold in the offseason, giving McCarthy his shot to start in 2025.
After two games, McCarthy has struggled for the most part, with his only standout moment coming in a strong fourth-quarter comeback against the Chicago Bears in Week 1. But this past Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, McCarthy and the offense faltered, with the quarterback completing just 11 of 21 passes for 158 yards and two interceptions in a 22-6 loss.
McCarthy to Miss Time with Ankle Injury
Adding to McCarthy’s woes, he suffered a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss 2-4 weeks. This setback means more missed reps for the 22-year-old, which Cowherd believes spells trouble for the Vikings.
“McCarthy has been bad in seven of eight quarters, and people are saying, ‘You’ve got to be patient.’ Well, not really,” Cowherd said. “You hear that about CEOs—‘Be patient, see the vision, think long-term.’ But companies have quarterly earnings calls. If they don’t perform, they find a new CEO.”
Cowherd continued to point out that the Vikings are in a win-now situation, noting several key factors that could impact the team’s immediate future. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores could be gone by the end of the season if he lands a head coaching job. The team’s star left tackle, Christian Darrisaw, is already dealing with injuries and surgery, and finding a replacement of his caliber would be tough.
Additionally, Cowherd highlighted that the Vikings’ roster is too talented to waste time on a developing quarterback, especially considering the team has won 13 and 14 games in two of the last three seasons. With rivals like the Green Bay Packers getting stronger with a young roster, Cowherd believes waiting too long on McCarthy could be detrimental.
“I know patience is a virtue, but NFL practices don’t have virtue drills,” Cowherd said. “Do you want to go three years and go 0-6 against your biggest rival? I don’t buy that.”
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