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Vikings Coach Has Telling Response To J.J. McCarthy Question

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Sep 23, 2025 7:40 PM ET

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell wouldn't confirm that J.J. McCarthy will regain the starting job upon his return from a high ankle sprain.

McCarthy watched Carson Wentz lead the Vikings to a 48-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. While the second-year quarterback will travel with the team to Ireland this week, O'Connell ruled out McCarthy for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

During Monday's press conference, a reporter asked O'Connell if he's "100 percent committed" to McCarthy as his starter once he's able to return. The reigning Coach of the Year didn't give a definitive response.

"First and foremost, he's got to get healthy," O'Connell answered. "And then throughout that process, I don't think it’s one of those things where it's the day he's healthy, if he's healthy the night before a game, we're not gonna just throw him out there and say, 'Hey, go figure it out.'"

McCarthy's road to recovery

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 26: Head coach Kevin O'Connell of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half of a preseason game at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 26, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 18-17. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)David Berding/Getty Images

Reports initially estimated a two-to-four-week absence for McCarthy. The Vikings haven't placed the 22-year-old on the injured reserve, which would force him to miss at least four games.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson said during Sunday's game that the Vikings are planning for McCarthy to return in Week 7 after their bye. O'Connell disputed that claim, saying they're still taking the situation "a day at a time."

"What is accurate is the idea that I believe J.J. would go out there and tough it out today or tomorrow if we asked him to," O'Connell said. "To me, at this point in a very young career, his mobility is one of his weapons that has clearly already shown to be something that’s a positive for him. So, we want to make sure he’s healthy."

O'Connell still later demurred when asked about a healthy McCarthy remaining Minnesota's QB1. The former Michigan star struggled in his first NFL action, completing 24 of 41 passes for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions in two games.

McCarthy led a comeback win in his NFL debut before registering a 5.9 QBR in a 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Meanwhile, Wentz completed 14 of 20 attempts for 173 yards and two touchdowns last Sunday.

"When you're in the phase of building up the 10,000 reps and 10,000 hours of what it takes to play the position at a very high level -- which we know J.J. McCarthy is going to do -- you can't cut corners on that," O'Connell said. "Also doesn't require an answer on that question today."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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