Vikings QB JJ McCarthy Throws Clunker of a First Pitch At Twins Game

PublishedJune 19, 2024 6:55 PM EDT|UpdatedJune 19, 2024 6:55 PM EDT

Anyone looking to badmouth the Minnesota Vikings for picking quarterback J.J. McCarthy certainly found some ammo after McCarthy threw a horrendous first pitch.

The Vikings rookie was invited to toss the ceremonial first pitch Tuesday before the Minnesota Twins' home game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

As a national championship-winning, first-round quarterback, McCarthy had a moment to show off arm strength on the bump.

McCarthy's first pitch was a major disappointment, raising just an ounce of doubt about the experimental first-rounder for Vikings fans.

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It's not the first time a first-round QB threw a disappointing first pitch. The Washington Commanders' No. 2 overall pick, QB Jayden Daniels, delivered an awful pitch at a Washington Nationals game.

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Minnesota braces for their first season without Kirk Cousins at QB since 2017. McCarthy is currently the team's No. 2 QB in the depth chart behind Sam Darnold but expectations lean on the rookie getting an opportunity to start next season.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 18: J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings looks on prior to the start of the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins at Target Field on June 18, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

J.J. McCarthy helped the Michigan Wolverines win the National Championship last season. His postseason heroics, such as pulling off an incredible catch in the CFP semifinal against Alabama, boosted McCarthy's stock after a tepid regular season.

McCarthy's acuity under Jim Harbaugh's system impressed the Vikings enough to take a chance on the developing QB.

Thankfully, baseball and football are as different as night and day, so let's not write McCarthy off based on a throw just yet.