Kevin O’Connell Provides Update on Vikings QB1 Battle

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell at U.S. Bank Stadium after Minnesota lost to the New York Giants in the Wildcard Round of the postseason, 31-24.

Shortly after June’s minicamp, Minnesota Vikings head coach named veteran quarterback Sam Darnold his team’s unofficial starter exiting spring.

Kevin O’Connell Provides Update on Vikings QB1 Battle

“We haven’t had to put out a depth chart or anything like that, but 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, and what he’s been able to do coming in and [hitting] the ground running and taking advantage of the competitive situation,” O’Connell said five weeks ago.

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold joins Vikings Entertainment Network’s Gabe Henderson and discusses being coached now by his former New York Jets teammate, Josh McCown, being a big UFC fan, his journey through the NFL and more. Darnold became a Vikings in March 2024 after Kirk Cousins left for the Atlanta Falcons.

Now, with training camp formally underway — rookies arrived in Eagan on Sunday and everyone else will show up Tuesday — the message is similar but not exact. Speaking to reporters at a training camp press conference, O’Connell backhandedly named Darnold the starter, with a caveat that competition will be open.

“I have no preconceived, pre-set chart depth chart in my mind. I said at the end of spring that Sam was the No. 1 quarterback,” O’Connell explained.

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Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell and General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center ahead of 2024 Training Camp. July 22, 2024. The duo talked about Khyree Jackson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and the QB1 job, among other topics.

Darnold will take the majority of 1st-team snaps, and O’Connell added that he wanted the quarterback jostling to be a “really competitive situation.”

Most expect Darnold to start Week 1 at the New York Giants while still holding out a glimmer of hope that McCarthy could score the storybook upset and win the job outright. That’s possible, but the Vikings will likely nudge McCarthy along gradually and make his emergence organic, not forced.

O’Connell continued, “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.” This insinuated that McCarthy wouldn’t be handed the QB1 scepter “just because.” It’s all about what’s right for the team in 2024.

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Minnesota Vikings 2024 NFL Draft. Watch as QB J.J. McCarthy addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center on Friday. The Vikings traded up one spot on the draftboard with the New York Jets for McCarthy.

Just last week, former Vikings wideout and Hall of Famer Randy Moss called for McCarthy to start right away. “My thing is, when we played, the first three guys that drafted — they’re playing. There’s no if, ands, or buts about it. Now, the 5th and 6th Round, we’ll see. May or may not see the field. Maybe a special teamer. First three rounds back then were played,” Moss replied when asked by Kay Adams about Darnold or McCarthy in Week 1.

O’Connell effectively said “nope” to Moss’ recommendation on Monday.

“Now, we’re drafting guys in the 1st Round, and they’re not even seeing the field. To answer your question — I don’t care if he’s not ready. He needs to be out there. Week 1,” Moss continued by endorsing McCarthy, advice that could be meaningless after O’Connell’s musings at training camp.

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Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports.

O’Connell concluded, “We get a whole lot of time on the grass and three preseason opportunities to joint practices to really work through exactly where each individual] is at this point in time.”

Per sportsbooks, McCarthy has a roughly 30% chance (+220) to win the starters’s job in Week 1.

No matter who’s under center, Minnesota is expected to win around seven games this season, per Vegas.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.