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supafreak84 · 03-13-2026, 02:04 PM

(03-13-2026, 12:12 PM)StickierBuns Wrote: Nah, not IMO anyway. I just think playing in real games is much different than practice or preseason games. I also don't think JJM is the kind of kid that needs that kind of motivation to succeed. He's just raw and needs lots of passing reps in the NFL to break through. I always maintained, even before JJ threw one NFL real game pass, that it was going to be very up and down his first year starting. Sitting and watching will do nothing, if that were the case then he would have benefitted from the games where Uncle Sammy was putting up a master class in NFL passing in front of him.

He was a raw draft choice coming in that got injured and couldn't throw a NFL pass for a whole regular season into March the following year. No QB2 and no reps. Now it seems KOC doesn't have the intestinal fortitude to supply what he needs in development and is moving toward betting on himself in the short term and taking some risk out of the strategy.

You are exactly right in that OConnell is trying to save his ass with the Murray signing. I'm so tired of hearing all this "quarterback whisperer" and he "brings out the best in quarterbacks" bullshit. I get a good laugh any time one of the talking heads in the media brings up that false narrative. He's never, I SAID NEVER, developed a young quarterback in the entirety of his coaching career. He won't adapt his playcalling and offensive philosophy to give whoever he has at quarterback the best chance at success. Never called plays until he got to Minnesota and I think that is a big reason for his reluctance to change and adapt. I think this pairing with Murray is extremely odd

Kentis · 03-13-2026, 02:16 PM

Well I get a good laugh every time someone references Jughead or Tannenbaum…! Tongue

comet52 · 03-13-2026, 02:34 PM

(03-13-2026, 02:04 PM)supafreak84 Wrote: You are exactly right in that OConnell is trying to save his ass with the Murray signing. I'm so tired of hearing all this "quarterback whisperer" and he "brings out the best in quarterbacks" bullshit. I get a good laugh any time one of the talking heads in the media brings up that false narrative. He's never, I SAID NEVER, developed a young quarterback in the entirety of his coaching career. He won't adapt his playcalling and offensive philosophy to give whoever he has at quarterback the best chance at success. Never called plays until he got to Minnesota and I think that is a big reason for his reluctance to change and adapt. I think this pairing with Murray is extremely odd

He's gonna have to adapt because Murray really needs to be in shotgun all the time. But I think even stubborn as fuck KOC might make changes, starting with this move to get Murray. It's clearly his save-my-job campaign now.

Crazy about the KOC history though--he was Johnny Manziel's private qb tutor and then was his qb coach at Cleveland. Yikes. The QB lisperer is definitely a media narrative without much foundation.

StickierBuns · 03-13-2026, 02:42 PM

(03-13-2026, 02:34 PM)comet52 Wrote: Crazy about the KOC history though--he was Johnny Manziel's private qb tutor and then was his qb coach at Cleveland. Yikes. The QB lisperer is definitely a media narrative without much foundation.

I don't agree about KOC, but this did make me laugh Wink

Vanguard83 · 03-13-2026, 02:53 PM

We will find out if KOC pivots to Murrays skillset. (provided he starts)
If he DOES, then we have a chance. If he doesn't, he's probably gone.

purplefaithful · (This post was last modified: 03-13-2026, 03:04 PM by purplefaithful.)

Where does the Vikings' acquisition of quarterback Kyler Murray leave J.J. McCarthy, the 23-year-old former college national champion and 10th overall pick entering his third Vikings season?

Coach Kevin O'Connell was asked Thursday evening via videoconference about how he would characterize the starting quarterback job with Murray joining McCarthy in the quarterback room.

Q: How would characterize the outlook with Murray and McCarthy?

O'Connell: "First of all, you know, it's March. ... What I can tell you is the goal of adding a talented player like Kyler to the room was about creating an environment for all of our quarterbacks, J.J. and Max [Brosmer], with Kyler added to that room as well where all of those guys individually no matter where they're at in their quarterback journey, we create a world where guys are pushing each other. Guys are, by their own growth or development or their own ascension, are not only doing that themselves, but they're creating a new standard and elevating that floor so that will benefit not only those players individually, it will benefit the collective group of guys in that room that Josh [McCown] is running. Ultimately, the position is so, so vital to offensive success in the National Football League, it will elevate our offense and our team. What that looks like -- reps and all those things -- I know I'm really excited to dive into all of that.

"I can tell you, J.J., I talked to him this week. We had a great conversation as we have most of the offseason about the good work that he's done. He's focused on what's out in front of him personally and he's attacking that every single day. He's doing great as well as Max is and I know that through the offseason program ... we're really trying to hone in on the details ... so as we approach training camp, we have a clear vision of how we want to best maximize those reps, and maybe we'll have some clarity at that point. And at that point we're still going to want to make sure all of those guys are in a situation where they can keep ascending."

Q: To be clear, you view it as a competition and don't know the starter?

O'Connell: "Unless I'm confused in any way shape or form, we don't have to name one of those currently. Look, like I said, it was a great visit with Kyler. Great discussions about where he's at as a player, the types of things I'm really excited about tapping into and helping him continue to grow. He's got a lot of experience. He's a very talented player and we've got a clear vision for what that looks like and ultimately what we have to do is what's best for our football team."

Strib

O'Connell says he's proud of McCarthy, excited for his development

Asked Thursday how he wanted J.J. McCarthy to react to the Vikings signing Kyler Murray, head coach Kevin O'Connell said:

"Really exactly how he did when we talked about it. J.J.'s ready to have the best possible offseason that he can. Unlike going into 2025, he now has 10 games of experience in the NFL. He's experienced the ebbs and flows of an NFL season that you've got to learn from, you've got to continue to attack in the most consistent way possible, getting totally locked into that routine of not only the game plan week, the time we have together, but the work you do on your own. How you're taking care of your body, how you're taking care of every aspect of who and what you are as a quarterback because it means so much, it's such a difficult position to play both physically and mentally, so I think having that experience now ... he's just excited. He knew we were going to be adding somebody to the room. He knew that didn't change anything about his mindset and focus on improving and attacking this offseason the right way. I'm really proud of him for that and excited to get back on the grass and in the meeting room with him when that time comes."

Strib

Mattyman · 03-13-2026, 05:14 PM

KOC has signaled there's major holes in JJ's game and mental make up.

So much so the Vikings pursued Murray.

Word salad comments by KOC clarified nothing.

purplefaithful · 03-13-2026, 05:32 PM

(03-13-2026, 05:14 PM)Mattyman Wrote: KOC has signaled there's major holes in JJ's game and mental make up.

So much so the Vikings pursued Murray.

Word salad comments by KOC clarified nothing.

You weren't expecting anything other than coach speak?

I think this is like a politician or a lawyer - watch what they do more then listen to what they say Wink

Especially on a prickly subject like a starting QB.

comet52 · 03-13-2026, 06:17 PM

(03-13-2026, 05:32 PM)purplefaithful Wrote: You weren't expecting anything other than coach speak?

I think this is like a politician or a lawyer - watch what they do more then listen to what they say

Especially on a prickly subject like a starting QB.

Kinda makes a fellow long for some Mike Zimmer two word answers.

StickierBuns · Yesterday, 05:57 AM

I agree completely with Rich and basically is my thought why this isn't really a competition: