Late in Minnesota’s offseason program, head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters that veteran Sam Darnold would be the team’s starting quarterback heading into training camp, rather than rookie J.J. McCarthy, the team’s 10th overall pick.
However, given McCarthy’s draft position, it’s clear the Michigan native will take over as the QB1 sooner rather than later.
in Long Works ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, who detailed how the Vikings made the switch from Kirk Cousins to McCarthy under O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, noted the head coach was being more cautious given his past experience coaching young quarterbacks, which is why O’Connell is still undecided about when McCarthy will become Minnesota’s starter.
O’Connell said McCarthy will be ready with his “comfort within our offensive line and the ability to apply that to the adverse situations and the difficult aspects of playing quarterback in the NFL.” Not magnified by lack of experience.
“But I want to be clear that this player is not expected to be perfect. … He’s going to go through growing pains and he’s going to learn on the fly. I’m not trying to eliminate that aspect, but [deciding when he will play] “It’s not something you can write on a board. It’s a feeling.”
In the two seasons they played together, O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah compiled a 20-14 record and won one NFC North Division title. In 2023, the Vikings were in the running for a postseason berth late in the season despite Kirk Cousins tearing his Achilles tendon, but the team finished with a 7-10 record. In the NFL, it is not impossible that O’Connell’s status could be in jeopardy if he performs poorly in 2024.
But O’Connell said his top priority is putting McCarthy in the best position to succeed.
“It’s simply about what’s best for the organization,” O’Connell said. “There’s no way these circumstances can affect J.J.’s development plan or the development plan of any other player on the team. There’s no way we’re going to let selfishness influence that decision.”
“That doesn’t really change because, I don’t know if it’s because I’m a former quarterback, but I feel like when I make a decision I have an obligation to have the best interest of not just J.J. but the whole team in mind.”
