The Minnesota Vikings may have spent the 10th overall pick on Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy in this year’s draft, but head coach Kevin O’Connell isn’t ready to hand him the keys to the offense just yet.
Speaking on the team’s QB situation entering training camp, O’Connell said that there isn’t a firm depth chart yet. However, he believes Sam Darnold is line to be the team’s starter as the offseason continues.
“I would say Sam would be the guy I would look to based on the spring he’s had and, really, where he’s at in his career and his quarterback journey,” Minnesota’s coach explained.
“At the same time J.J.’s really improved, Nick Mullens has had a great spring and Jaren [Hall] has also improved,” O’Connell added. “[I’ve challenged the quarterbacks] to control what you can which is your preparation, how detailed can you be and can you stack good periods of practice together.”
The Vikings HC seems excited about what Darnold can bring to the table with the stable of weapons the franchise has put around him.
While talented, Darnold has yet to make good on the expectations many had for him as the No. 3 pick back in 2018. This opportunity seems as good a chance as any to possibly change the narrative of his career. We’ll see what he does with it.