Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Gives Major J.J. McCarthy Update

The Minnesota Vikings are perfectly content with Sam Darnold as their starting quarterback but their fans are likely counting down the days until J.J. McCarthy takes over as QB1.

Reports out of Vikings camp indicate that McCarthy has made quite the impression on the coaching staff. He may have started behind the 8-ball compared to Darnold’s 56 NFL starts, but it’s clear he’s closing the gap quickly.

“As far as the depth chart in that room, it's pretty clear and obvious…it's pretty darn even between Sam and J.J.,” O’Connell told reporters.

Barring injury, Darnold will likely be the team’s starter Week 1 against the New York Giants on Sept. 8, but head coach Kevin O’Connell admitted to reporters that McCarthy will start taking some of those first-team reps away from Darnold.

“Sam's really taken the majority of the one reps,” O’Connell said. “J.J.'s gotten some reps — twos vs. ones — where he might not be out there with the [No. 1] offense, but he's certainly seeing some things that will allow him to start phasing into getting into the huddle...when he gets into that first group.

“You will at some point see J.J. be consistently maybe getting a little more one reps there. But at the same time I feel like Sam earned the right to get the bulk of those reps early on.”

O’Connell has done his best to temper expectations for McCarthy, who was drafted 10th overall in the 2024 draft.

He’s preached patience with the young signal-caller, stating because of Darnold the team has the luxury of developing him at his own pace and playing him only when it’s abundantly clear he’s ready. But that time may come sooner rather than later.

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