O’Connell has shown the ability to adapt and adjust to different quarterbacks, accentuating the strengths of each one. In his three years with Minnesota, KOC has impressively game-planned with Darnold, Kirk Cousins, Josh Dobbs, Nick Mullens and even Jaren Hall directing the offense. Since 2022, Vikings quarterbacks have combined to throw 95 touchdown passes against 46 interceptions under O’Connell’s tutelage, with especially strong performances from Cousins (47:19 TD-to-INT ratio) and Darnold (35:12). McCarthy possesses more tools than any of the aforementioned signal-callers. Furthermore, J.J.’s poise, composure and management skills should make it easy for O’Connell to build a game plan that enables him to create big plays while mitigating risky turnovers, especially given the team’s surrounding talent.
A stellar supporting cast has significantly boosted Minnesota’s rotating cast of quarterbacks, with Justin Jefferson and Co. elevating each passer’s play. The Vikings’ perimeter weapons make the game easy for the quarterback, given their precise route-running ability and catch-and-run skills. In addition to Jefferson, who just earned first-team All-Pro honors for the second time in the past three seasons, Jordan Addison has emerged as an elite complementary wideout while T.J. Hockenson is one of the game’s more productive tight ends. Not to mention, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah re-upped veteran RB Aaron Jones after his 1,138-yard debut in Minnesota. Add in an extremely promising offensive line — especially with positive reports about stud left tackle Christian Darrisaw’s recovery from knee surgery — and the Vikings have enough firepower and protection around McCarthy to alleviate the pressure on him to carry the offense. The young quarterback needs to operate like a pass-first point guard directing an intricate half-court offense to thrive as the high-end game manager many envisioned when evaluating the former Michigan standout in last year’s pre-draft process.
Though some will take the “high-end game manager” language as a dig at McCarthy’s upside, it speaks to his winning pedigree and ego-free approach. McCarthy has already demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice individual stats for team success as a collegian (SEE: 27-1 record at Michigan with a national title), and that certainly made him an attractive prospect for evaluators who value “winners” at the position.
“I get asked a lot about what gives us the belief and confidence that J.J.’s going to continue to grow and develop and be ready to attack this thing with his teammates,” O’Connell told a group of reporters earlier this week. “Unfortunately, he did lose his rookie year to injury, but he didn’t lose that time with his teammates. He didn’t lose that time in our building. He didn’t lose that time continuing to become comfortable in our offense. But it goes back even beyond that year. It goes back to when we evaluated him coming out (of college), the traits that we’ve seen in him as a winner, playing the quarterback position for a really long time. There’s a reason why we selected him, and the belief that we’ve had in him goes back even before making that selection. So, the belief just continues.”
It’s a small sample size, to be sure, but McCarthy flashed impressive skills as a rhythm passer in his lone preseason game last year. He dropped a series of dimes on in-breaking routes, showing superb timing and anticipation. This makes it easy to envision O’Connell building a call sheet with crossers and deep overs at intermediate range. In addition, McCarthy’s athleticism on impromptu scrambles gives me Alex Smith vibes when thinking about how the Vikings can integrate the green QB’s skill set into the playbook.
With a stout O-line to control the trenches, the Vikings can establish the ground game, creating big-play opportunities on play-action passes when opponents overreact to Jones, Jordan Mason and Co. splitting creases. In addition, the upgraded line could handle some of the pass-protection calls commonly assigned to the quarterback, lowering the stress on McCarthy at the line of scrimmage.
McCarthy’s play will ultimately determine whether the 2025 Vikings reach their ceiling and make a serious run for a ring, but Minnesota has created a stellar environment for a first-time starter. Consequently, I believe this wild card will come up aces.