The Minnesota Vikings have named Kyler Murray the starting quarterback, with head coach Kevin O’Connell detailing the team’s ongoing development plan for J.J. McCarthy.
O’Connell emphasized that McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is still a work in progress. "He's still a guy that's only played 10 games," O’Connell told reporters Tuesday. "He's shown improvement off of last year. Even in this training camp with the work he’s put in and his comfort level, just growing a little bit day in and day out. Very excited to continue to get to work with him every single day and coach him."
Mccarthy missed the entire 2024 season due to a torn meniscus. He appeared in 10 games last year, finishing with a 6-4 record, 11 touchdown passes, and 12 interceptions. Injuries also sidelined him for five games with a high ankle sprain, and he later missed time with a concussion and a hairline fracture in his throwing hand.
Despite the developmental focus, O’Connell stressed that McCarthy needs to be prepared for potential immediate game action. "As he knows, he's holding the pen on his story and we’re gonna support him and try to just help him continue to improve at the most difficult position in sports," O'Connell said. "He’s gotta also understand, this isn’t just a long-term mindset, which we want to have always for a player of his caliber and a young player like him but it could be an immediate response needed. J.J.’s the kind of guy that’ll be ready to rock and roll. I know that."
The Vikings signed Murray to a one-year deal this offseason after his release from the Arizona Cardinals, addressing the quarterback position amidst McCarthy's injury history and development timeline.