Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell announced Wednesday that rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy will miss the season after successfully undergoing surgery on his right knee meniscus. McCarthy underwent tests related to knee pain after reporting the injury Monday afternoon.
“He had surgery this morning on his meniscus,” O’Connell told reporters. “The surgery showed that he needs surgery, which will end JJ’s season in 2024.”
The Vikings selected McCarthy out of Michigan with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Sam Darnold, who is entering his seventh season in the league, will likely assume the starting quarterback responsibilities in McCarthy’s absence when Minnesota’s regular season begins on Sept. 8, on the road against the New York Giants.
“This is just going to be a little bump in the road,” O’Connell said. “Other quarterbacks in our league have gone through similar things and come back stronger and better than ever. It’s not just my prediction, but I know it’s going to happen to JJ.”
O’Connell has yet to announce a starting quarterback for the regular season, but McCarthy has shown glimpses of potential up until this point. The Vikings organization and their fan base will have to wait a full season to see the nationally recognized quarterback of college football take his talents to the NFL.
“Our fans and everyone should be thrilled that we have got a young midfielder in the squad, I think,” said Aconnell.
What was O’Connell’s reaction on Wednesday afternoon?
O’Connell was certainly frustrated and upset for McCarthy given the path he felt McCarthy was on after Sunday’s 11-of-17 performance against the Raiders in the preseason. O’Connell was also frustrated that his team, which had suffered blow after blow in so many ways (the tragic death of Khiry Jackson and Mickey Blackmon’s ACL injury), had now been crushed again.
Even O’Connell spoke candidly, saying he’s had a lot of fun watching McCarthy, who is still just 21, develop every day. He’s been a part of the coaching, which brings him back to some of his days as a quarterbacks coach early in his NFL coaching career. O’Connell has expressed confidence in the 2024 team, saying he believes this Vikings culture and roster is built to endure. But he’s definitely been low-key for understandable reasons. Alec Lewis, a writer superior to the Vikings
What does this mean for 2024?
It was already set to be somewhat of a transitional season. The Vikings have absorbed about $60 million in salary cap money, according to Over The Cap. They have long planned to transition from aging and expensive veterans to developmental youngsters. Darnold was brought in to be a bridge to McCarthy, and while he was always likely to start Week 1, the burden on him is heavier.
Also of note are recent comments from co-owner Mark Wilf. He said he wouldn’t address contract extension talks with general manager Kwasi Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell until after the season. Without McCarthy’s insight, how will the owners be able to fully assess this? There’s also the related note that the Vikings currently have just three draft picks for next season (a first-round pick and two fifth-round picks).
A down year may not lead to the kind of revamp needed to add depth to the roster. Louis
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