The Minnesota Vikings have addressed multiple issues in the offseason, potentially turning the weak spots that led to their demise at the end of the 2024 season into potential strengths.
They picked up a pair of offensive linemen in Will Fries and Ryan Kelly from the Indianapolis Colts to bolster their offensive line and they drafted Ohio State OG Donovan Jackson in the first round to completely remake the interior section of that unit.
They also picked up defensive linemen Jonathan Allen from the Washington Commanders and Javon Hargrave from the San Francisco 49ers to provide defensive coordinator Brian Flores with a front four that has more bite than last year’s unit.
When the Vikings go through their minicamps and OTAs, the team looks quite secure in all areas – with the exception of the most important position on the field. The Vikings will be completely unproven at quarterback.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell is the game’s premier quarterback whisperer. He played the position as a college player and in the NFL, and he has had success as a coach with every quarterback he has tutored.
He is fully confident that when J.J. McCarthy starts the season as the team’s QB1, he will be ready to put together an excellent season as a first-year leader. However, McCarthy is not a proven commodity.
He was a dynamic college performer at Michigan and led the Wolverines to the national championship at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
The Vikings drafted him with the No. 10 pick last year and he was making excellent progress throughout the offseason and into the summer until he tore his meniscus in the team’s first preseason game. His season ended at that point and O’Connell turned to veteran Sam Darnold to lead Minnesota.
The result was a 14-3 regular season, but even though Darnold had a brilliant year, it did not change the Vikings’ long-term plans. McCarthy was drafted to become the team’s starting quarterback and there was no reason to delay his ascension. Darnold was allowed to leave as he signed with the Seahawks in free agency.
