Jun 18, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings first round draft pick JJ McCarthy throws out the ceremonial first pitch in a game between the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Kurt Warner Wonders if J.J. McCarthy Can Fit HC Kevin O’Connell’s Offense With Vikings

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics
By Ernest Leo Hernandez | Last updated May 19, 2025 12:48 PM ET

J.J. McCarthy , quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, was recently discussed as a player by retired NFL quarterback, Kurt Warner. Warner appeared on ‘The Jim Rome Show’ over the weekend and revealed how he expected McCarthy to fit in with head coach Kevin O’Donnell’s strategies for the team.

McCarthy played his rookie season with the Vikings last year after being selected as the tenth pick in the very first round of the NFL draft. Before the league, the 22-year-old quarterback played college football for the Michigan Wolverines. His first season with the Minnesota Vikings had injury woes after McCarthy tore his meniscus. NFL analysts like Warner are expecting McCarthy to do better in the upcoming season.

“I think they’re gonna be a good team,” Warner said. “I think they’re going to be a good offense. There’s enough pieces and Coach O’Connell does such a great job of setting up his quarterback to make plays that they’re going to be a good football team. I just don’t know how good JJ McCarthy is going to be at the NFL level. I just need to see more of that. He’s got the physical ability to do it. I know he can push the ball down the field, but consistency when it comes to playing the quarterback position is what this is all about,” Kurt Warner said about J.J. McCarthy in ‘The Jim Rome Show’ on Saturday.

“There’s enough pieces, and Coach O’Connell does such a great job of setting up his quarterback to make plays that they’re going to be a good football team.”@kurt13warner on the Vikings’ offense with QB J.J. McCarthy. pic.twitter.com/vA3jKIejHN

— Jim Rome (@jimrome) May 17, 2025

J.J. McCarthy’s head coach, Kevin O’Donnell, has been working with the Minnesota Vikings since 2022. This was O’Donnell’s first gig as head coach. Before the Vikings, O’Donnell was the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.

J.J. McCarthy And Vikings To Lock Horns With Chicago Bears In Opening Game

Meanwhile, J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings are getting ready to face the Chicago Bears to officially kick off their upcoming NFL season. Before the Bears, the Minnesota Vikings will warm up with three preseason games against the Houston Texans, the New England Patriots and the Tennessee Titans.

The Vikings will be eager to do much better in the 2025 NFL season when compared to their previous year. In the season before this, Minnesota finished second in the NFC North with 14 wins and three defeats. The Vikings made it to the NFL Wild Card round to take on the Los Angeles Rams, but lost disastrously 27-9. After meeting the Bears, the Vikings will be playing against the Atlanta Falcons for their second matchup of the season.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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