This website collects cookies to deliver better user experience. By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy.
Accept
USA Foot
  • Home
  • U.S. MNT
  • U.S. WNT
  • NFL
  • International
Reading: Kevin O’Connell Tells All: Who Would’ve Began if J.J. McCarthy Did not Get Harm?
Share
USA FootUSA Foot
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • U.S. MNT
  • U.S. WNT
  • NFL
  • International
Follow US
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookies Policy
  • Privacy Policy
© 2024 USA Foot. All Rights Reserved.
USA Foot > Blog > NFL > Kevin O’Connell Tells All: Who Would’ve Began if J.J. McCarthy Did not Get Harm?
NFL

Kevin O’Connell Tells All: Who Would’ve Began if J.J. McCarthy Did not Get Harm?

usa-foot February 13, 2025
Kevin O’Connell Tells All: Who Would’ve Began if J.J. McCarthy Did not Get Harm?
SHARE

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.

Sam Darnold would’ve began the season for the 2024 Minnesota Vikings, nearly it doesn’t matter what.

Kevin O’Connell Tells All: Who Would’ve Began if J.J. McCarthy Didn’t Get Harm?

Kevin O’Connell joined The Dan Patrick Present this week, and Patrick requested the younger coach what would’ve occurred at quarterback if J.J. McCarthy by no means tore his meniscus.

mccarthanddarn Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.

O’Connell made positive to go with McCarthy’s summer time growth however in the end mentioned Darnold would’ve taken the QB1 baton into September. “I would probably say Sam Darnold would’ve been our starting quarterback just out of the experience and knowing that I am constantly aware of the minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour, day-to-day development of quarterbacks,” O’Connell informed Patrick.

Minnesota added two new quarterbacks final offseason after saying goodbye to Kirk Cousins — Darnold from free company and McCarthy from the draft. Each competed at coaching camp and within the first preseason recreation, whereas followers weren’t fairly positive who would win the QB1 title. Most determined “probably Darnold” as a result of there was no rush to toss McCarthy into the lineup instantly at age 21.

Kevin O'Connell Matt Krohn-Imagn Photos.

- Advertisement -

O’Connell added about McCarthy, “We had just seen J.J. play in his first preseason game. There was a lot of positive things on that tape that led us as a coaching staff to say, ‘We absolutely need to see this thing through to the end of training camp.’ At that same time, and rightly so, everyone was talking about J.J. as the 1st-Round pick, an exciting young player we were fired up to have in our organization.”

Darnold, certainly, emerged because the clear QB1 when McCarthy tore his meniscus, and the remainder was bittersweet historical past. The veteran passer led Minnesota to a 14-3 season, adopted by a one-and-done within the postseason. Darnold truly performed miserably within the season’s remaining two video games.

jjmoffseason Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.

Quick ahead to the 2025 offseason — like, now — and it’s a dialog of “Darnold or McCarthy?” once more. Darnold is scheduled to hit free company in 3.5 weeks, the place he can land a contract close to $40 million per season. McCarthy, in the meantime, simply desires an opportunity to start out for the crew that drafted him.

- Advertisement -

“There’s a lot of things that are certainly above my pay grade and some things above his pay grade,” McCarthy replied final week when requested about his teammate Darnold’s impending free company.

samdarnold14 Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos.

McCarthy informed Eisen, “All I could ask for is a fair opportunity. That’s the one thing I feel like everybody’s given and it’s fundamental. When money gets involved, things get complicated and reps get skewed and there’s different things that come into the whole political world that everyone talks about. I really just have to focus on controlling what I can control.”

However as a matter of revisionist historical past, Darnold, not McCarthy, would have began Week 1 final September on the New York Giants.

It's Official on Brian Flores

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his every day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The present options visitors, evaluation, and opinion on all issues associated to the purple crew, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates again to 1996. Listed responsible pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doorways (the band). He follows the NBA as intently because the NFL. 

All statistics supplied by Professional Soccer Reference / Stathead; all contractual data supplied by OverTheCap.com.

TAGGED:didnthurtJ.JKevinMcCarthyOConnellstartedTellsWouldve
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article ASN: Ashlyn Harris Says Yanks Longing for SheBelieves Cup ASN: Ashlyn Harris Says Yanks Longing for SheBelieves Cup
Next Article ASN: Brooks Lennon on U-20s: ASN: Brooks Lennon on U-20s:
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


– Advertisement –

ASN: Nick Besler Appears to ‘Carve a Completely different Path’ in MLS
ASN: Nick Besler Appears to ‘Carve a Completely different Path’ in MLS
U.S. MNT
The 4 Most Seemingly Gamers to Be Drafted by Vikings
The 4 Most Seemingly Gamers to Be Drafted by Vikings
NFL
ASN: Julio Morales Leaves El Tri, Pledges Allegiance to U.S.
ASN: Julio Morales Leaves El Tri, Pledges Allegiance to U.S.
U.S. MNT
Dustin Baker’s Publish-Free Company Vikings Mock Draft
Dustin Baker’s Publish-Free Company Vikings Mock Draft
NFL

Categories

Archives

June 2025
MTWTFSS
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30 
« Mar    

You Might Also Like

Bucs Linebacker Room Coming Into Focus
NFL

Bucs Linebacker Room Coming Into Focus

The three Major Takeaways from Vikings Free Company to Date
NFL

The three Major Takeaways from Vikings Free Company to Date

Pewter Report Podcast: Stay Bucs Mock Draft With PFF’s Trevor Sikkema
NFL

Pewter Report Podcast: Stay Bucs Mock Draft With PFF’s Trevor Sikkema

2025 NFL Mock Draft: A possible first-round trade-down situation for the Dolphins
NFL

2025 NFL Mock Draft: A possible first-round trade-down situation for the Dolphins

USA Foot

Welcome to USA Foot, your ultimate destination for all things football. We are passionate about the beautiful game and dedicated to bringing fans the latest news, in-depth analysis, and exciting updates from the US and world of football.

Top Categories

  • Home
  • U.S. MNT
  • U.S. WNT
  • NFL
  • International

Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookies Policy
  • Privacy Policy

© 2024 USA Foot. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account


Lost your password?