Fair or unfair, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is the story of the season for the Vikings franchise. By all accounts, McCarthy is a lightning rod although not by choice.

The first year starting signal caller is seemingly a leader in every sense whose competitive nature is evident in the final minutes of each game. Certainly, Minnesota fans have been vocal about his fourth quarter heroics. Even so, nobody can ignore the lack of statistical production at times in games.

So, what is the common denominator for McCarthy in success and failure this season? McCarthy struggles in the first three quarters and performs well in the fourth quarter, but it could go deeper than that. Some are suggesting that his success could be tied to up-tempo offense, and that running more of the fast tempo style could allow McCarthy to react without overthinking.

Trevor Ripley of Zone Coverage writes that playing more tempo offense might be the move for Minnesota, who has little to lose with its 4-6 record on the season. Ripley wrote the following.

"While quarterback J.J. McCarthy's development has crawled at a snail’s pace at times, it might benefit the Vikings to try and speed things up a little — literally. Kevin O'Connell has used the hurry-up offense just 8.5% of the time this season, or 15th most in the NFL. And yet, in what was almost a game-winning drive on Sunday, McCarthy went six for eight for 76 yards and a touchdown running hurry-up. He had been 10 for 24 with 75 yards and two interceptions until that drive."

The stat line comparison is compelling. In a fourth quarter where his team trailed, McCarthy completed 75% of his passes and got more yards than he did the three quarters prior with just a third (8) of the attempts in the first three quarters (24). And other than a sense of urgency with the game on the line, the only thing that really changes is the up-tempo nature of the fourth quarter offense.

The urgency, however, was certainly there prior to the fourth quarter. Whether or not McCarthy hears all of the criticisms of his play, he likely knows how his struggles are being received. He wants to play better football. Tempo might allow him to do that.

𝙆𝙖𝙨𝙚 (@verysadvikings) on X JJ McCarthy went 6/8 for 77YDS and a TD on the final drive vs Chicago. I think it could be beneficial to go up tempo a little more often. Less thinking and pure rhythm.

Increasing the tempo has a few advantages, but the defense's inability to substitute personnel and call intricate looks likely adds to the appeal for Minnesota. That said, simply taking McCarthy out of his head and taking away time from worrying about making the perfect throw likely works in his favor.

We'll monitor whether or not Minnesota opts for more tempo moving forward.