Kevin O’Connell, I’ll make sure J.J. McCarthy stays involved this season,
Although J.J. McCarthy will not be playing this season, he will still be active in some capacity. Kevin O’Connell, the head coach, will see to that. Over the course of the next four or more months, the Vikings want their rookie quarterback to be involved in every aspect of the team’s operations.
McCarthy is unable to acquire physical reps due to a torn meniscus, but this year he will continue to grow off the field. In addition to studying film and doing mental reps, he will meet with O’Connell one-on-one each week.
O’Connell stated on Wednesday, “I want to see him, I want his teammates to see him every day.” “I want him present at meetings. One day a week, I will personally meet with him to make sure I can challenge him on his ownership of the game plans, the “why” behind what we’re doing, and play intent for me. I also want to make sure he continues to play a significant role in the leadership, especially with that young rookie class.”
Effective quarterback rooms are invariably cooperative groups. Starting quarterback Sam Darnold will receive weekly game plan immersion from McCarthy, Nick Mullens, and Brett Rypien, who will assist Darnold in getting ready for each weekend. They will be expected to do tasks such as providing guidance during meetings and video conferences. I want J.J. to feel like he’s a support system for Sam, part of that culture of that quarterback room,” O’Connell said. “But at the same time, bigger picture, making sure we don’t waste one moment where there could be some growth and development, and really continue the positive momentum (for McCarthy) that I think a lot of us saw in training camp before the injury.”
The year is 2024, Darnold. However, McCarthy’s weekly contributions to the preparation of the Vikings starting will also benefit him as he gets closer to perhaps assuming that position and making his NFL debut in a year.
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