Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell addresses J.J. McCarthy, QB room

The Minnesota Vikings may have made a huge mistake with J.J. McCarthy.

Not only did they double down on him after he missed his rookie season with an injury, but they let both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones go.

McCarthy showed glimpses of strong play this season but missed seven games and was erratic for the most part, and the Vikings failed to make the playoffs.

Now, shortly after GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah gave a huge hint about McCarthy's future, head coach Kevin O'Connell spoke about McCarthy and the team's quarterback room as a whole.

Kevin O'Connell wants a "deep and talented" quarterback room

"In the quarterback room, it's about having the deepest, talented room you possibly can each and every year," O'Connell said Tuesday in a news conference. "...I think a deep and talented quarterback room will only enhance (McCarthy's) ability to (improve)."

O'Connell also praised McCarthy extensively and said that he believes McCarthy will "work tirelessly" in the offseason, adding that he "wants to be great."

Then again, he also thinks that having that type of competition in the quarterback room will be the best way to bring the best out of his game.

Per Pro Football Reference, the Michigan product completed just 57.6 percent of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 picks. He also had 37 carries for 181 yards and four touchdowns. 

It's way too early to give up on a quarterback after 10 career starts. Still, the Vikings have a stacked, Super Bowl-caliber roster, so they probably can't afford to wait for him to develop and grow through his mistakes.

Having him sit for another year while a veteran leads the way might not be the worst idea. At worst, he needs someone to put pressure on him to clean up his act and be as great as the team hoped he would be.