Ahead of a crucial matchup against the Commanders, where the playoff hopes are on the line, the coach spoke during his usual press conference and appeared optimistic about McCarthy’s availability at US Bank Stadium.

“Expecting, barring any unforeseen changes to where he’s at today, and hopefully having that Wednesday will allow him to have a normal, full week and likely be able to go in as our starter on Sunday,” O’Connell said.

During the Week 12 matchup against the Packers, the former Wolverines player suffered a hard hit that forced him into concussion protocol, keeping him off the field during the trip to Seattle.

McCarthy still struggling to find his footing in the NFL

J.J. McCarthy is still waiting for his breakout moment in the NFL, having had his initial progress severely hampered by injuries. His rookie season was a complete washout as he missed the entire year due to injury.

This season, his availability remains a concern; he has played only six games while missing an equal number due to recurring physical issues. In his limited time on the field, his performance has been challenging, logging 929 passing yards and 6 touchdowns against 10 interceptions, resulting in a low 21.1 QBR. McCarthy clearly has yet to find his footing and consistently demonstrate the promise expected of him.

Brosmer didn’t seize his opportunity

Forced into the starting role due to injuries to J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer endured a rough outing against the Seattle Seahawks, resulting in a 26-0 shutout—the Vikings’ first since 2007.

Brosmer finished the day completing 19 of 30 passes for a meager 126 yards, but the turnover tally proved catastrophic, as he threw four interceptions, two of which were hauled in by linebacker Ernest Jones IV. This turnover-prone performance solidified a miserable day for the Vikings’ offense.

Can the Vikings still make the Playoffs?

The NFC North was from the start one of the most competitive divisions, and it has certainly lived up to that expectation. According to the NFL’s official site, the Vikings currently hold a 1% chance of securing a Wild Card after 13 weeks, with a current record of 4-8.

NFC North current standings

• Chicago Bears (9-3)
• Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)
• Detroit Lions (7-5)
• Minnesota Vikings (4-8)

What’s next for the Vikings?

The Minnesota Vikings face a highly challenging schedule to conclude their season. This upcoming slate begins with a home matchup against the Washington Commanders.

They then embark on a tough two-game road trip, facing the formidable Dallas Cowboys and then the New York Giants. The season finishes with two critical home divisional battles against the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers. Winning these divisional contests will be absolutely vital for the Vikings to stay alive in the NFC Wild Card race.

Kevin O’Connell’s team traveling to Lambeau Field could mark a turning point for the Vikings this season. A win over the Packers would put them back in the race, while another loss could inevitably complicate their outlook.

Currently sitting at the bottom of the division with seven games remaining in the regular season, Minnesota is still dreaming of making a big move—and why not, sneaking into the coveted Playoffs.

What happens if the Vikings win against Packers?

If the Minnesota Vikings manage to come out victorious in their visit to Lambeau Field, they would improve their record to five wins and six losses, closing the gap not only with the Packers but also staying in contention depending on what happens with the Bears and Lions.

What happens if the Vikings lose against Packers?

If the Vikings fail to overcome the Packers, they would add another loss to their season, bringing their record to four wins and seven losses. Are they out of contention? Not yet, but the path forward could become seriously complicated.

What games do the Vikings have left?

The Minnesota Vikings face a brutal late-season schedule in their bid for a playoff spot. Their run starts immediately with back-to-back road tests against the Green Bay Packers Packers (6-3-1) this week, followed by a trip to face the strong Seahawks (7-3).

The slate also includes tough road matchups against the Cowboys and Giants, a Christmas Day clash with the Lions, and a season finale rematch at home against the Packers.

The only clear breather is a home game against the Commanders (3-8), meaning Minnesota must perform consistently against strong competition to secure its postseason hopes.

The recent struggles of the former Wolverines QB have quickly drawn criticism, even leading some to question O’Connell’s decision to keep him as the starter. Vikings star Justin Jefferson strongly backed his teammate, confident that he’s ready to give it his all in Green Bay.

“I feel like he handled it very well,” Jefferson said of McCarthy‘s preparation for his first career game at Lambeau Field. “Just not really thinking about the negative. Just not really thinking about the past game. Just moving forward and more of a focus on how he can improve, how can he better operate the offense, and of course, lead us to more touchdowns and more drives to eventually win the game at the end of the day.

“Just talking to him, being on his shoulder. Making sure that mentally, he‘s got his head on right. And I just know with all of the criticism and all of the hateful messages he‘s probably been getting. He can cut on the TV on SportsCenter and they can talk negatively about him. So just trying to be that person for him that he can always lean on and talk to.”

It’s not the first time Jefferson has come to McCarthy’s defense since the QB arrived in the NFL. This duo is quickly establishing itself as one of the main weapons in the Vikings’ offense, and they aim to keep making noise in the postseason.

An interesting duo

The Minnesota Vikings‘ highly anticipated connection between quarterback J.J. McCarthy and All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson has yet to find its elite rhythm this season.

Through McCarthy’s five starts, Jefferson is averaging a pedestrian 54 receiving yards per game, a significant drop from his career norms, and has accounted for just two touchdowns with the first-year QB under center.

While McCarthy continues to navigate the steep NFL learning curve, posting a 52.9% completion rate and throwing eight interceptions in his 140 attempts, the lack of explosive production from Jefferson suggests that the duo is still struggling to establish the timing and chemistry needed to unlock the Vikings’ passing attack.

What’s next for the Vikings?

The Minnesota Vikings are bracing for a critical stretch of games that will determine their playoff fate, beginning with a cold-weather road clash against the division-rival Green Bay Packers.

Following that NFC North battle, they embark on a tough West Coast trip to face the physical Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. The punishing schedule concludes with a home game against the resurgent Washington Commanders.

Successfully navigating this difficult trifecta—two key road games bookending a home contest against a tough NFC opponent—is absolutely essential for the Vikings to keep pace in the highly contested NFC wildcard race.

O’Connell explained the team’s cautious approach with McCarthy, saying, “He’s responded well to the early part of the treatment, but for a young player, you know, I want to make sure that he’s healthy.” That opens the door for Wentz to lead the offense while the rookie continues his recovery.

Now, everything will depend on how well Wentz can perform in the coming games, not only against the Bengals but any other opponent where the Vikings need him, especially since they need someone with his experience.

Carson Wentz Head-to-Head vs. Steelers

Although few may believe it, Wentz has already played as a quarterback against the Steelers in a pair of games. The first was in 2016 and another in 2020 when he played for the Philadelphia Eagles. He won the game from almost a decade ago at home, throwing 2 touchdowns, while the more recent matchup was a loss where he also threw the same number of touchdowns.

With that past experience, one could say that O’Connell and the Vikings at least have someone who knows how Mike Tomlin’s Steelers play. The Steelers haven’t changed much since then, even though they started this season with two wins and one loss.

The Vikings’ 48-10 victory over the Bengals truly made a good impression on what Wentz can achieve commanding the offense. However, it’s worth noting that the franchise has a history of giving a backup an opportunity, seeing him do well, and then letting him go.

O’Connell revealed his “secret” message to McCarthy after the game. “I told [McCarthy] at halftime, ‘You are going to bring us back to win this game,’ and the look in his eye was fantastic,” the head coach said. The second half for the rookie quarterback would also start with a pick-six.

Despite the bad start to the second half, McCarthy got lucky, and the Bears only scored one touchdown in the third quarter. The inspiring message from his head coach finally did its job in the fourth quarter when the team scored 21 points thanks to three touchdowns from McCarthy.

O’Connell clearly wants McCarthy to continue playing at this level, adding, “We don’t win this game unless J.J. plays the way he did in the second half and most importantly kept the belief of his football team behind him.”

McCarthy Joins Steve Young’s Level

McCarthy not only had a good game and secured the Vikings’ first victory of the season, but he also took the opportunity to break a fourth-quarter record that no other quarterback had achieved since Steve Young did it in 1985.

NFL+ reported on X, “J.J. McCarthy is the first starting QB with a 10+ point 4th quarter comeback in his NFL debut since Steve Young in 1985.” They also added, “He is the only such QB since 1950 to do so on the road.”

This way, the QB room of one of the franchises aiming to be a contender in the NFC North is now composed of the talented McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer.

The arrival of the former Chiefs quarterback to the Vikings aims to provide support not only through experience but also on the field. It’s clear this team is going all-in to build on last season’s results and take things to the next level.

Sam Howell’s departure

After a brief stint in Minnesota where he saw limited action, it’s now official: Sam Howell is packing his bags and heading to the NFC East to join the Philadelphia Eagles — the reigning NFL champions.

“Trade! The #Vikings are sending QB Sam Howell to the #Eagles, sources tell me and @RapSheet. Minnesota gets a 2026 5th-round pick and a 2027 7th. Philadelphia gets a 2026 6th and Howell, an experienced backup for Jalen Hurts while Tanner McKee deals with an injury,” the insider Tom Pelissero reported via X.

Wentz’s experience arrives in Minnesota

“After trading Sam Howell to the #Eagles, the #Vikings sign veteran Carson Wentz,” read the announcement from Jordan Schultz regarding the arrival of the veteran QB to Kevin O’Connell’s team.

Wentz already knows what it’s like to win a Vince Lombardi Trophy — a feat he achieved with the Eagles in Super Bowl LII, even though he missed the championship game itself against Tom Brady’s Patriots.

Another loss for the Vikings

Following Sam Howell’s departure, news broke in the last few hours that veteran Brett Rypien was released from the team, leaving the Vikings’ QB room with just three players moving forward—barring any further changes.

“The #Vikings are releasing QB Brett Rypien, per source. The respected veteran should have interest elsewhere, while Minnesota moves forward with a remodeled QB room of J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer,” Tom Pelissero reported.

With Darnold, the Vikings looked like a Super Bowl contender. Now, considering that McCarthy has not taken a single snap in the NFL, uncertainty is at its peak in Minnesota with very high expectations.

Obviously, the good news for J.J. McCarthy is that he will be surrounded by a spectacular offensive roster that includes names like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones. That factor is what will leave the former Michigan star with no excuses, as he will be expected to deliver right away.

Will Vikings trade for a wide receiver?

According to a surprising report from Adam Schefter, the Vikings are considering a major trade for a wide receiver. A very familiar face could be returning to play in Minnesota.

“Vikings have inquired about trading for Panthers WR Adam Thielen, per league sources. With WR Jordan Addison serving a three-game suspension and Jalen Nailor dealing with a hand injury, Thielen could wind up starting opening night for the Vikings if they can complete the trade.”

In addition to Addison and Nailor, Kevin O’Connell also lost Rondale Moore at the wide receiver position for the rest of the season. Given this scenario, a trade seems inevitable, and Thielen could be on his way back home.

This comment references the early careers of both coaches in the NFL. Kingsbury was a rookie quarterback in 2003 and spent that season on the Patriots’ injured reserve list, while O’Connell joined the team in 2008 as a rookie quarterback, coinciding with Vrabel’s final year in New England.

Although team rivalries are common in the league, this type of friendly exchange between veteran coaches shows the respect and camaraderie that also exist in professional football, even with just a few days remaining until the start of the 2025 NFL season.

Vrabel’s comment about O’Connell

“The same thing I said about Kliff Kingsbury – he wasn’t as good as Tom Brady,” Vrabel humorously said about O’Connell as a Patriots quarterback. What the two players have in common is their brief careers as NFL players.

Vrabel’s statement highlights Tom Brady’s importance in Patriots history and in the league overall, while also adding a humorous touch to the interaction between the coaches. It reflects the camaraderie that exists between the two coaches.

The matchup between the Vikings and Patriots

Besides practicing together in good spirits, the Vikings and Patriots will face off in a preseason game ahead of the upcoming season. The two franchises will meet next Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Quarterback Darnold delivered in 2024, throwing for 4,319 passing yards and recording 35 touchdowns in what became his best statistical season in the NFL. His future now lies with the Seattle Seahawks, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Vikings.

Last season, the Vikings finished with a 14–3 record, though the campaign ended with a surprising early exit in the playoffs. With that recent result still fresh, O’Connell didn’t hold back and made his expectations for the team crystal clear.

O’Connell’s message to the Vikings

“As I told the team when we opened camp, I think the foundation is already set… now the next step is becoming truly championship-worthy,” O’Connell told NFL Network. His statement signals a clear shift in direction.

The transition from Darnold to McCarthy now places the responsibility on the young quarterback to lead a team built to compete for a title. While the franchise projects him as the starter, O’Connell himself has said that McCarthy “has to earn the job.”

McCarthy has a big opportunity ahead

McCarthy was selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 Draft but missed his rookie season due to a meniscus injury. Since then, he has been working through the playbook and gaining reps. His activation for the start of preseason confirms him as the leading candidate for the role and the main source of excitement in Minnesota.

The individual in question isn’t a player on the roster, but rather offensive coordinator Wes Phillips — a key right-hand man to O’Connell on the coaching staff. According to the latest report, Phillips has signed a contract extension that will keep him with the team through the end of the 2026 season, barring any unforeseen changes.

The news was reported by Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune, who shared details of the move via his official X account (formerly Twitter). It’s a significant step by the Vikings as they continue to build for their immediate future.

“The #Vikings agreed to a contract extension with offensive coordinator Wes Phillips on Friday night, securing a key member of Kevin O’Connell’s coaching staff with a new deal,” he reported via @BenGoessling.

It’s worth noting that Phillips first took on the role of offensive coordinator back in 2022, when Kevin O’Connell specifically chose him to join his staff with the Vikings.

Brian Flores’ contract situation

The staff that supported Kevin O’Connell last season proved to be highly effective, helping the team put together a strong campaign — one that, unfortunately for them, fell just short of a Super Bowl appearance.

With Wes Phillips now confirmed as offensive coordinator for the upcoming NFL seasons, the next question is what will happen with Brian Flores, who has been serving as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator.

According to Goessling, Flores is also entering the final year of his contract and is reportedly still pursuing a second opportunity as a head coach. For now, there’s no indication that such an opportunity is imminent, meaning his stay in Minnesota remains intact — at least for the time being.

Rodgers’ talent is well known, and it could have elevated an offense looking to contend in the NFC North. However, age and injuries were not minor factors when it came time to decide on the new starter for the Vikings, a team with a long-term vision for the franchise.

During an in-studio appearance on KFAN-FM 100.3, HC O’Connell mentioned the conversations he had with the former Packers standout during the offseason, where he expressed his intention to go with McCarthy despite the rumors surrounding the veteran QB’s potential arrival in Minnesota.

“When there was an opportunity — when him and I connected this offseason just to kind of talk about what that would look like — we had a lot of great dialogue about it, but it always was centered around what was best not only for the present in the Minnesota Vikings organization, but the future.

“I was very honest about my feelings toward’s J.J., my obligation that I felt like we were going to give him the best possible situation to begin and thrive on this NFL journey and let’s see where it goes. We stayed in touch and had some communication,” O’Connell firmly stated.

McCarthy is O’Connell’s chosen one

J.J. McCarthy’s arrival in the NFL was met with high hopes within the Vikings organization. However, a severe injury early last season prevented him from making his official debut for Minnesota.

Now back to full health, the talented quarterback is showing this offseason why the coach was right to place his bet on him as the starter — and that’s something Kevin O’Connell is well aware of.

“He’s having a great spring,” the head coach said. “We’re pretty darn close to having a good feel for where he’s at. He’s had a great offseason. He’s healthy, strong, throwing the ball great, fundamentals — everything you hope for in the spring.”