Through the preseason in 2024, Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee damage. He wanted surgical procedure and was on the bench the whole yr.
That compelled Sam Darnold to be their starter final season. Minnesota didn’t re-sign Darnold this offseason with the intention of McCarthy being the starter in 2025. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has proven reward for the younger QB in his first season of actual motion. Talking with NFL insider Dianna Russini, O’Connell talked about the stress of growing J.J. McCarthy into their long-term QB.
Can QB whisperer Kevin O’Connell make J.J. McCarthy a star?
Kevin O’Connell on if he thinks there’s an impatience from #Vikings followers on JJ McCarthy:
“I anticipate there to be reactions, optimistic and unfavorable. Our purpose is to win soccer video games, and JJ goes to play a job in that… All with an understanding of the inspiration of growing… pic.twitter.com/Wc2GZpbSH3
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 15, 2025
With the tenth choose within the 2024 NFL draft, the Vikings chosen QB J.J. McCarthy out of Michigan. Within the group’s first preseason recreation of 2024, McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee damage. He was compelled to overlook his whole first season, however is about to be Minnesota’s starter in 2025. This offseason is all about hypothesis for J.J. McCarthy. Can he rapidly adapt to the NFL and maintain the Vikings a contender within the NFC?
Vikings followers are optimistic about McCarthy’s probability of succeeding. That’s as a result of they’ve QB whisperer Kevin O’Connell. He’s helped QBs attain their full potential in his system. This contains Kirk Cousins, Josh Dobbs, and Sam Darnold. After being seemed over as a starter, O’Connell helped Sam Darnold and the Vikings go 14-3 final season.
As we speak was EASILY #Vikings QB JJ McCarthy’s greatest day of apply. He was carving the #Patriots protection from the beginning. No turnovers. Nice choice making.
Minnesota, we’ve got our QB. pic.twitter.com/NILupEj78H
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 14, 2025
The previous second general choose loved essentially the most profitable season of his profession underneath O’Connell. Together with his monitor document, Vikings followers are assured he can get essentially the most out of McCarthy. In school, Michigan had a run-first offense. That won’t be the case for McCarthy in Minnesota. He has one of many recreation’s greatest receivers to throw to.
Having Justin Jefferson at WR is a luxurious not many QBs get to have. Final season, Jefferson had 103 catches for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns. Throughout his senior season at Michigan, J.J. McCarthy handed for two,991 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. His 72.3 completion share led all QBs within the Large 10 in 2023. He’s an correct passer, however head coach Kevin O’Connell has made feedback about McCarthy needing to layer his throws. All issues that O’Connell might help the younger QB work on.
