Kevin O'Connell assesses J.J. McCarthy's Vikings' preseason debut

First round pick J.J. McCarthy made his Minnesota Vikings debut in their first preseason game Saturday and looked the part of a franchise quarterback.

While Sam Darnold is the Vikings’ current starting quarterback, the investment in McCarthy could pay off sooner rather than later. Head coach Kevin O’Connell sung nothing but McCarthy’s praises following his first action.

It might only be uphill at this point for the former Michigan quarterback.

“I thought JJ played really well,” O’Connell said on The Pat McAfee Show. “You know, for his first time out, no coaches on the field, it’s just those 11 guys, 11 guys on defense and the refs out there. There’s really not much more you ever want to see than just the guys take the work from the practice field, and especially as you get into different groups on your team, you find out who’s prepared. 

“You find out who’s ready. And obviously, anytime you play a game, preseason or not, in an NFL stadium, and the lights come on, you tend to see who guys really are as players. And I just thought, you know, there (were) a ton of learning moments in the game for JJ.”

J.J. McCarthy impresses in preseason debut

In the 24-23 win, McCarthy went 11-of-17 passing for 188 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

“But what I was most proud of is just the way even after he turns it over early and comes right back and is ripping the ball down the field, standing in the pocket, generating explosives on early downs, a couple big third down conversions, and got the team in the end zone a couple times there,” O’Connell said. “Which I thought was just a great example of what playing quarterback in this league is all about. You know, there’s going to be some plays that go your way. There’s going to be some plays execution wise, that you’d like to have back. What can you do on the next play? 

“What can you do to kind of keep doing your job, propelling the offense and give your team a chance to win a football game? I thought he did all those things. I thought he did it in a way that I felt poise and confidence at the same time for him, thought it was a great first start for him really getting some game reps, under his belt, in our offense.”