McCarthy lands in an offense that could maximize his mobility and passing, offering a strong floor with weekly rushing upside. If O’Connell’s system unlocks passing efficiency and the supporting cast stays healthy, McCarthy could be a late-draft tone-setter with top-5 2026 upside.

McCarthy’s early reps against the Patriots’ defense offered a glimpse at the Vikings’ quarterback plan as he navigates a new-look offense. His performance in the joint sessions highlighted learning curves, pocket discipline, and the potential for a dynamic but evolving passing attack with Jefferson sidelined early.

McCarthy flashed arm talent but paid for misreads and timing issues, including a costly miscommunication that Marcus Jones turned into an interception. His ceiling remains high, but the day underscored the need for cleaner route timing and connection under pressure to translate college flashes into NFL fantasy relevance.

McCarthy sits in the rookie-QB spotlight alongside Drake Maye and Jackson Dart; the segment frames him as a pivotal long-term piece whose immediate impact hinges on coaching and Travis to open passing lanes and maintain timing.

McCarthy’s trial by fire comes through Flores’ pressure schemes, testing his ability to navigate blitzes and pre-snap reads. The Vikings want to preserve safety in the pocket while letting McCarthy push the ball when the defense overcommits. Early reps suggest he’ll be graded on decision speed and ball placement under pressure rather than pure arm talent alone.