Takeaways from Vikings minicamp, Day 1

Kyler Murray, JJ McCarthy and Brian Flores spoke with the media on Tuesday

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By Matthew Coller

The Minnesota Vikings opened minicamp on Tuesday afternoon and we heard from the quarterbacks and defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

Here’s the biggest takeaways…

Kyler Murray isn’t used to not getting every rep

The practice opened with two interceptions from Murray, one of which was a miscommunication and the other was an overthrow on a deep pass. After that, he settled in and had an overall solid practice, hitting good throws to Jauan Jennings and Jordan Addison and operating a final drive scenario for the first time in the spring. It was mostly 7-on-7 and half-speed 11-on-11s. We’ll see if the intensity jumps up on Day 2 or Day.

In terms of the reps, it was split 50-50 with JJ McCarthy. It was not clear heading into minicamp whether the split was going to continue or if Kevin O’Connell was going to turn things over with the first team to Murray.

After practice, Murray said that it has been a challenge not getting all the reps while he’s trying to learn the offense.

“I think the toughest part is, I was [in Arizona] for seven years, I know I had two different offensive systems, but at the same time, you’re getting all those reps,” Murray said. “Now having to split reps, it’s me already being behind, not getting the amount of reps that you would typically want a guy to get learning in offense. That’s probably the toughest part.”

Murray continued…

“Coming into the new system, learning on the fly, trying to play fast, efficient, and let it loose while learning is pretty — that’s the toughest part.”

Murray pointing out the challenge of getting fewer reps than usual while learning a new offense does open the door to the question: How long will the rep split continue?

Considering the past performances of each quarterback and the circumstances surrounding the team, it would be shocking if Murray was not the starting quarterback. So is Kevin O’Connell continuing to split reps through the spring to get a full assessment on McCarthy’s progress to determine whether there will be a true competition in training camp?

On its face that seems more reasonable than keeping up appearances with hopes of trading McCarthy. The idea of trading him was floated this week by NFL insider Tom Pelissero on an appearance on KFAN.

It’s plausible that O’Connell wants to give McCarthy every single opportunity he can to show that he deserves to be the starter because the team invested so much in him already and saw flashes of quality play last season.

Murray did not seem concerned about the idea that McCarthy is competing with him when the idea was brought up on Tuesday.

“I’m not really too worried about the competition side of things, honestly,” Murray said. “When you do have days where you feel like, ‘I wish I had that throw back,’ whatever it is, the coaches are reminding you, ‘hey, this is the learning phase, you are new to this. You got to give yourself that grace….it’s all a part of the process.’”

We will see whether the rep counts continue this way into Day 2 and 3 of minicamp.

But the QB competition story will be told in training camp, not minicamp. That’s when the “learning phase” ends and every rep between the quarterback and his weapons is important. If they are still splitting reps in camp, then the competition is absolutely on and the two QBs will have to fight it out every day for the job. If Murray takes all the reps from the start of camp, then the result we expected when Murray signed is inevitable.

JJ McCarthy says he doesn’t want to be traded

McCarthy got another bite at the press conference apple after his first one of the spring made waves. This time he was more straight forward in his responses about the competition with Murray.

“Those reps being distributed are something out of my control, and the only thing I focus in on is that next rep, and keep it as simple as that,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy had a solid practice, opening up with a long completion to Tai Felton, who has flashed several times this spring. He also led a “final drive” drill with the starters and was able to move the ball.

“I feel the best I’ve ever felt playing the game of football, especially in this team,” McCarthy said. “I think things being instinctual when you hear it, being able to pop into your mind very clear and very fast. And that helps a lot with just playing instinctual out there and making the right plays when the ball snaps.”

With buzz about the potential for a trade swirling, McCarthy got the question about whether he wants to be moved.

“I think I made it very clear I wanted to be here before I got here,” McCarthy said. “And I love this organization. I love the coaching staff. I absolutely love these players to death. This is where I want to be. I feel like I can thrive in this system. And it’s just everything played out exactly how I wanted it. I wouldn’t want anything else to change.”