Takeaways from Kevin O'Connell's pre-draft press conference

The Vikings' HC gave an update on JJ McCarthy's status and talked draft options

---

By Matthew Coller

EAGAN — How’s JJ lookin’?

Kevin O’Connell might have to prepare himself to answer that question every single time he steps in front of a microphone for the foreseeable future.

On Monday, Minnesota Vikings players returned to TCO Performance Center for voluntary workouts. As routine as that might be, it was actually a pretty significant day because quarterback JJ McCarthy stepped into the building with his teammates for the first time as the guy. While KOC won’t bestow a QB1 label on him just yet, the team’s decision to stick with McCarthy rather than sign Aaron Rodgers solidified his status as the new leader of the franchise. It’s a lot different from a year ago when he was still waiting to be drafted in late April.

“Now he gets the ability to learn everything from day one as we go through our installations multiple times this spring and and just the different checkpoints,” O’Connell said. “I think the spring is set up perfectly for for JJ with where he's at from a standpoint of Phase One really being in a classroom setting running and lifting and continuing what he's been able to do well a lot of his teammates haven't been here.”

So how’s JJ lookin?

O’Connell said that he does not expect there to be any limitations to what McCarthy can do during the spring program. While KOC isn’t allowed to work with his young QB on the field outside of the allotted practice time by the NFL, the head coach is very aware of his rehab process when it comes to relearning all the throws McCarthy needs to make.

“He's making a lot of throws that are required in our offense, different types of drops, different types of rhythm and timing and velocity and things like that,” O’Connell said. It’s also the total number of throws being able to stack some really high number days.

The extra rehab passing sessions may ultimately turn out to be a benefit for the developing quarterback.

“I don't think based on what I've heard what will ask of him throughout the spring, I don't know if he'll have a day where he throws as many balls as he was throwing during two -hour rehab session when he was pairing that with running and lifting,” O’Connell said. “It's just a matter of applying it with teammates and with detail and with repetition to try to apply those reps so we can start projecting what not only he can continue to improve at, what are the areas we need to focus on, how can we craft this offense to make sure that we're doing the things that he does well naturally.”

One of the things that O’Connell has mentioned on multiple occasions that sold him on McCarthy was his work ethic last year between minicamp and the start of training camp. He has seen a similar drive from the 2024 10th overall draft pick during his rehab.

“I think the big thing is he's done a phenomenal job is with what I would call ‘invisible habits, invisible work’ that he's done when really nobody's been watching,” O’Connell said. “In many ways, solidifying and finalizing his rehab, then on into a phase where he's really been able to push it on the field from a throws and work in his technique and fundamentals, and then ultimately the mental side of it as well.”

McCarthy may want to get into running the offense as quickly as possible but it won’t be until OTAs and minicamp later on in the spring that he really gets the feeling of being back under center with his squad.

KOC on the draft