Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell. Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell updates starting QB battle

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Jul 22, 2024 4:00 PM ET

Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy — as well as the team's other three signal-callers — reported to training camp on Monday.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell spoke to reporters about the ongoing starting quarterback battle, which pits McCarthy against fellow former first-round pick Sam Darnold.

Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell said Sam Darnold will take majority of first-team reps, but J.J. McCarthy will also take some: "I have no preconceived, pre-set chart depth chart in my mind. I said at the end of spring that Sam (Darnold) was the No. 1 quarterback."
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) July 22, 2024

Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell pretty defiant on sticking with the plan with J.J. McCarthy: "I don't know if it's the former quarterback in me, but I will not allow any factors outside what's best for J.J. and what's best to help the Vikings win in regards to that question."
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) July 22, 2024\

ESPN's Kevin Seifert reported Friday that O'Connell has "publicly and privately" said the Michigan product's timetable to start was "open-ended" leading up to the preseason.

If Minnesota opts to begin the regular season with Darnold under center, the group notably has an early Week 6 bye and could install McCarthy as the starter following the break.

Kirk Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons after spending six seasons (including three Pro Bowl campaigns) with the NFC North club.

The Vikings then signed Darnold and selected McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in April's NFL Draft.

Minnesota also has undrafted 29-year-old veteran Nick Mullens and 2023 fifth-round pick Jaren Hall on the projected quarterback depth chart behind Darnold and McCarthy.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

More must-reads: