It’s unclear how interested Kevin O’Connell is in developing JJ McCarthy, but there is no question he was behind McCarthy’s selection. Sean McVay knew that before the card was submitted, and got it reaffirmed when he called KOC in an attempt to trade up (Rams wanted Bowers).

JJ McCarthy is and will be a franchise starting QB in this league, if the Vikings and KOC fumble him it will be another franchise that reaps the rewards

He obviously did want McCarthy. But was unwilling to give up the farm for him like he was for Maye!

Maye was higher on their board and they did want to trade up. McCarthy was the target when that didn’t work out.

Nice reminder. I’m tired of the attempts at revisionist history.

Thank you for posting this I’m tired of seeing ppl change the narrative that koc never wanted to draft him

Well, if he isn’t, it certainly would not make him look very credible after his “QBs don’t fail orgs, orgs fail QBs” statement.

I’m actually quite disgusted by the Kwesi pile on, KOC trying to wash his hands of his rookie QB after 10 starts shows he was always just full of shit.

Gotta make this shit work man

Thank you 🙏 @thorku I still believe in JJ…if he fails, it’s bc “the organization failed him,” as KOC is so-often quoted. Still believe in KOC but hard not to be disappointed w/his gameplan for the 1st 1/2 of ‘25. All this drama coming out now in ‘26 just continues to disappoint

I believe KOC deliberately sabotaged McCarthy to prove his point that JJ "isn't ready" and stick it to Kwesi for failing to bring back Sam or DJ. Why else was he so stubborn and refused to alter game plan until it was too late?

I don’t think there’s any question that there was a disagreement on picking McCarthy. They’re both accountable for that. Kwesi wasn’t fired for missing on the Quarterback, although that’s like 80% of it and what pushed it over the edge.

If 80% was on the quarterback, then how does the guy who chose him *and* developed him *and* called his plays still have a job?

@OGSkol Because he’s been otherwise pretty damn good, while kwesi has objectively been not very good at all

@OGSkol I don’t disagree — but the point is that it wasn’t about the QB position or it would have been KOC getting his walking papers.

@SundanceKidSr @OGSkol Or it was somewhat about the QB position but Kwesi was the scapegoat

@SundanceKidSr @OGSkol He was definitely scape-goated. And this is coming from someone who didn’t disagree, in a vacuum, with the decision to dismiss him.

O’Connell call JJ their franchise QB after his knee injury, how does he back away from that without an explanation?

That dude who said KOC didn’t want JJ is full of shit and just trying to strike while the iron is hot and hope people believe he has sources.

To me it was never the question of whether he wanted McCarthy or not. My question was always did KO want him to play this year or to wait another year.

He wanted Drake Maye!! JJM was the backup plan..

The more the dust settles on this the more of a bad taste this leaves about KOC.

I still believe in JJ

You send this and tag the haters so call Viking reporters

That doesn’t mean anything, kwesi had the final say and what is Kevin going to go into that in those conversations? no Obvious if you aren’t a blind moron but I guess that’s where we have always been with you. McCarthy is trash, your grading/scouting is as moronic as kwesi!

Like others have said it can both be true that he wanted McCarthy and knew he wasn't ready for 2025.

Y’all are all casuals his biggest mistake was running Harbaugh out of town b/c he didn’t want to do Kewsis corporate interviews

KOC definitely wanted McCarthy and this was his team from the time they drafted him. They weren’t expecting the level of play from Darnold that why nobody was talking about him starting until after McCarthy got hurt in the preseason. The whole organization didn’t know how to shift gears after the 24 season and just like they didn’t expect much from Darnold they didn’t expect him to be in the Super Bowl the following year after releasing him. The cards didn’t fall the way they wanted it to and this mess is the results we are dealing with now

"Active" Year 2 of McCarthy will be special.

The problem is square peg round hole. At least early on. If OConnell runs the ball on 3 and short we are good to go. If not well we have some issues. Remember early on McCarthy was 0-14 on 3rd and 3 or less

I don’t think there was any doubt or hesitation of taking JJ at that spot. First choice was move up for Maye. Feels like JJ was the second option. They moved up the spot to make sure they got him. My guess would be KOC knew he wasn’t fully ready due to the injury going into 2025

The facts are rolling loud today.

I think he is interested in developing him but I don't believe he was convinced he should start in 25. Camp battle this year.

Copeeeeeee, just admit you’ve staked your reputation on a poo QB who wasn’t asked to throw the ball at Michigan thus stinks in the pros

I dont think koc dislike mccarthy or wasnt for picking mccarthy. I think darnold happened and koc saw him as a finished product, and felt like going forward with darnold was best. The plan was to always sit jj for a yr and due to the injury, i believe koc wanted jj to sit again.

Did anybody with any sense believe otherwise?

good pull, sir 🫡

Words < action. Since knowing pick 11 in ‘24 Offered Kirk Signed Darnold Tried to trade to 3 Start Darnold Signed Jones Offered Darnold Offered Jones Traded for Howell Traded Howell Signed Wentz Play Wentz Play Brosner No commit to 9 Fire KAM Where’s the love for JJ in action

He will cook the NFL next season, be patient and confident, the beast is coming

With Denver and Vegas right behind them, they had no choice but to get JJ. They didn’t want Nix and not getting a qb would’ve been viewed as a massive failure.

Seems like KOC is a sitting duck. Once they bring in a new GM and if they fail to make the playoffs again, he will be gone. Starting to get Childress vibes with him.

Nice thx for that Thor. That's 100% proof! Wish Vikings would hire you as there lead draft guy!