Jun 18, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings first spherical draft choose J.J. McCarthy throws out the ceremonial first pitch in a sport between the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays at Goal Subject. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Pictures When the 2025 common season begins, the Minnesota Vikings envision J.J. McCarthy as their QB1.
However as head coach Kevin O’Connell mentioned on the NFL’s annual spring assembly on Monday in West Palm Seashore, Fla., that outstanding distinction has but to be earned.
“I really feel actually, actually optimistic in regards to the path we’ll take with J.J. from a growth standpoint, from an acceleration of reps,” O’Connell mentioned. “And he will profit from an offseason value of reps from the offseason program to clearly coaching camp and being in a aggressive state of affairs when our quarterback room is all finalized.”
Even because the Vikings entertained signing free agent Aaron Rodgers, O’Connell was in contact with McCarthy in “borderline actual time” to apprise him of any developments. Rodgers, who stays unsigned, has maintained contact with O’Connell since their taking part in days and made the preliminary contact with Minnesota after he was launched by the New York Jets.
O’Connell mentioned the Vikings have excessive expectations for McCarthy however determined, as a franchise, they did not need to withstand vetting Rodgers as an choice to safeguard McCarthy.
“… Aaron Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP and any person who, not simply myself, however we have all had a lot respect for competing in opposition to him,” O’Connell defined. “And he occurred to be at a time limit in his profession the place he was free to have some actual dialogue about what his future might appear like. And we occurred to be a kind of groups that he reached out to.”
Normal supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made it clear the popular end result of the offseason shuffling on the quarterback place could be McCarthy moving into the beginning position. He was primarily an expert redshirt in 2024 after being drafted tenth total due to a post-draft knee surgical procedure, and Sam Darnold went 14-3 to place the Vikings within the NFC playoffs as a wild card.
McCarthy took largely “visible reps” however was in quarterback conferences and game-planning periods to develop into intricately acquainted with O’Connell’s communication model, expectations and huge offensive playbook.
“I believe it is a duty for me because the playcaller to ensure I am constructing rapport along with demanding a typical of the place from a really early time right here with J.J. that I believe he will meet, and problem himself to satisfy, every day,” O’Connell mentioned. “Very a lot excited to see him try this.”
–Subject Degree Media
