Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell addresses 2025 QB decision between JJ McCarthy, Sam Darnold
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell shared his thoughts on the quarterback decision between JJ McCarthy and Sam Darnold for the 2025 season. While speaking to reporters on Thursday, O’Connell said he’s looking forward to what McCarthy brings to the table next season and what he’s learned from Darnold.
“I’m very excited about where JJ’s at,” the Vikings head coach said. “…He’s returned to on-field training, he’s returned to being able to be right where we hoped he would be at this point to have the type of offseason. I think he maximized what this year was for him. I think he’s got a level of comfort in our offensive system and getting to have a front-row seat for every aspect of what Sam went through from being in the first year in our system and watching it kind of morph and grow and adapt as the season went on.
“…Him being able to absorb a lot of that and now have a really positive offseason from start to finish here will be able to give us what the quarterback room looks as a whole the way I look at it. Very excited about the opportunity to be there with JJ as he continues to move through this wonderful thing we call the quarterback world.”
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What JJ McCarthy and Sam Darnold did in 2024
JJ McCarthy, who was selected by the Vikings at No. 10 overall last year, missed the entire 2024 season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee. Before his injury, McCarthy was listed as the backup QB for Sam Darnold who went on to throw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns while leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record in 2024. Darnold becomes a free agent once the 2024 season ends. McCarthy’s rookie contract runs through 2027.
While Darnold had the best season in his career, his last two games could lead the Vikings to go with McCarthy in 2025. In the regular season finale against the Detroit Lions, Darnold completed just 43.9 percent of his passes for 166 yards and one interception. And in the Wild Card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams, Darnold completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 245 yards, one touchdown and one interception while being sacked nine times.