Latest news with #KevinOConnell
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
McCarthy Shows Love to Home Fans
McCarthy Shows Love to Home Fans originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Vikings went 14-3 last season, but it ended with a thud. After losing to the Detroit Lions in Week 18, the Vikings were bounced from the playoffs in the wild-card round by the Los Angeles Rams. Despite winning 14 games, Minnesota is making a change at quarterback under fourth-year head coach Kevin O'Connell. O'Connell has a 34-17 record in the regular season but is still searching for his first postseason win. He's turning to J.J. McCarthy in 2025 to replace Sam Darnold as the team's new starter. The former Michigan Wolverines star missed all of last season with a fully torn meniscus in his right knee. After undergoing surgery, he became the first quarterback taken in the first round to miss his entire rookie season due to injury. Now, with the 2025 NFL training camp underway, Minnesota is putting its full attention on McCarthy, who has a strong supporting cast around him. McCarthy sat down with the NFL Network on Saturday and shared his thoughts on playing in Minnesota: "We got the best fanbase in the NFL, I guarantee that." The Vikings averaged more than 66,000 fans per home game last season. U.S. Bank Stadium has a capacity of 66,200, expandable to 72,000 for special events. It's been the team's home since 2016. McCarthy also expressed his excitement about seeing fans return for training camp: "I'm so looking forward to seeing them here and hearing the SKOL chant," McCarthy said. "Just being able to interact with them individually and as a collective, they are just awesome. Nothing but gracious and supportive ever since I got here, and I can't wait to do great things for them this year." The 22-year-old was the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He led Michigan to a College Football Playoff title in January 2024 and was named Big Ten Quarterback of the Year that season. McCarthy is listed ahead of Sam Howell and Brett Rypien on the depth chart. He'll have two proven weapons at receiver in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison as well as talented tight end T.J. Hockenson. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Vikings training camp: J.J. McCarthy's early progress and 5 key takeaways
EAGAN, Minn. — We're told not to make too much out of one training camp throw, but this one might be the exception. Saturday. Early in the team period. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy faked a handoff, eyed the defense and curved a pass into a small area near the right sideline where only the receiver, Jalen Nailor, could make the catch. Advertisement There wasn't any hooting or hollering. Sure, the fans cheered, but they didn't react as loudly as they did when McCarthy connected on a deep ball. No social media frenzy ensued; in fact, it's hard to find a video clip. But it exists. Cameras captured what is one of the most critical signs that has surfaced for the Minnesota Vikings. But why? Why would a seemingly unspectacular sequence matter so much? Coach Kevin O'Connell had the answer. 'That's probably the biggest difference between college football and the NFL,' O'Connell said earlier Saturday. 'How do we occupy defenders and throw in behind them? Versus, with the wider hashes in college, a lot of times you're throwing through open voids to a target.' Letting it riiiiiiiiiip 🎯🎯@jjmccarthy09 📺: Back Together Weekend on @nflnetwork — Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 26, 2025 McCarthy's velocity has never been a question mark. One of his college teammates, Jack Tuttle, a former four-star recruit who had seen Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields at quarterback camps, believed J.J. McCarthy threw with more RPMs (revolutions per minute). But in the NFL, that only matters so much. In previous practice sessions, O'Connell hollered for McCarthy's attention, then motioned his hand like he was sprinkling seasoning on food. The teaching point? Add some air, feel the ball leave your fingertips. The Nailor pass might be the best example, but two other times on Saturday, McCarthy also bent the ball over defenders into the intermediate area for tight end T.J. Hockenson. The Vikings are fortunate that defensive coordinator Brian Flores' unit simulates the need for angled throws more than most. Defenders positioned on the line of scrimmage often drop, and safeties regularly step down from depth. The changing picture provides a textured feel, which forces McCarthy's hand. Advertisement Any in-depth evaluation would be foolish until Monday, when players don pads and the pass rush speeds McCarthy up even further. However, the 22-year-old has checked critical boxes early on. The Vikings have gotten in and out of the huddle on time, and the operation at the line of scrimmage has been smooth. McCarthy used cadences Saturday to create a free play, and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown patted him on the helmet afterward. Processing the defensive picture hasn't been an issue either. McCarthy executed Saturday's red zone period as well as anyone could have hoped. Here are five other takeaways from training camp so far. What does the Vikings defense sound like before the snap? O'Connell offered a snippet on Saturday. 'They're commenting on splits,' O'Connell said. 'It's, 'Who's on? Who's off? This guy was late to line up. This guy is light in his stance.' I said, 'Is anybody just going to play football?' I mean, because everybody out there was just making noise. But they're saying such high-level stuff.' Recently extended safety Josh Metellus joked last week that Minnesota's defense is entering its master's stage. What that means in terms of new coverages and stunts will be revealed in time. But Metellus' point makes sense with how the defense has looked over the first three days. Defenders don't look confused or out of position, not even new additions, like cornerbacks Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah or defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. They're disguising themselves on the back end. They're hopping around on the front. The Vikings haven't toyed with many of their creative personnel groupings yet. Saturday provided a potential snapshot, though, when Flores put edge rushers Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner on the field together. It was but a glimpse at the next phase. Advertisement To achieve that, to continue to confound offenses the way they have the last few seasons, they must be on the screws when it comes to the basics. They have been. Sam Howell has taken the majority of the backup QB reps. This makes sense. How can O'Connell and the Vikings assess what they have if they don't throw him into the fire? And, to be clear, it is the fire, as most of Howell's reps have been against the first-string defense. The best way to sum up Howell's performance is a beat too slow. Without the post-practice film, it's impossible to assess each rep accurately. Is Howell taking a hitch because he's not seeing the picture correctly, or is he waiting a split second extra because the receiver was rerouted by a cornerback? Whatever the case, it feels fair to say that Howell hasn't consistently pulled the trigger promptly. More time against Flores' defense should help. Howell now understands the challenge he faces. Also worth mentioning are Sam Darnold's early struggles in training camp last year. These are but tiny data points. As for the other quarterbacks, Max Brosmer's accuracy is noticeable. Brett Rypien, who knows the offense better than the other quarterbacks, has been limited to a few reps. The Vikings' decision-makers telegraphed their plan at cornerback for months. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, O'Connell and Flores said they believed Rodgers could play an every-down role, and that they had a vision for Okudah. It's no surprise, then, that those two have played alongside Byron Murphy Jr. with the first-team defense. Third-year corner Mekhi Blackmon has also mixed in, but Okudah has commanded most of the snaps. The No. 3 pick in the 2020 draft is with his fourth team in four seasons. An Achilles injury and other health issues have affected his trajectory, but he watched the Vikings defense from afar last year and was intrigued. Advertisement 'Me and Flo spoke when I came in for my visit,' Okudah said last week. 'It was cool to have him reach out and say that he envisions me coming into this defense and contributing.' Behind those four, questions abound. Dwight McGlothern, an undrafted corner last year who made the roster, has not taken reps with the starters. Zemaiah Vaughn, an undrafted rookie, had a stellar spring and is having a good camp. Relying on him for meaningful snaps in 2025, though, would be a big ask. Wide receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor and Tai Felton are shoo-ins to make the team. Behind them, it's anyone's guess. Rondale Moore and Tim Jones are more experienced, but one name to keep an eye on is second-year player Jeshaun Jones. The Maryland product impressed during training camp last year. Minnesota kept him on the practice squad, and he took advantage. The most significant change for him between this year and last? 'Having an understanding of what we're trying to do offensively,' Jones said. 'There's a lot of formations and plays. It's trying to slow things down.' Competition for roster spots will be fierce, and they may hinge on special teams. Undrafted receiver Silas Bolden has an edge as a returner, but Jones' route-running ability (especially for a room that may lose Jordan Addison for part of the early season) could be significant. • The No. 3 running back spot appears to be up for grabs. Ty Chandler's special teams experience matters, but Zavier Scott has flashed in recent days with his pass-catching ability out of the backfield. • Levi Drake Rodriguez, Jalen Redmond and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins have occupied interior defensive line spots for the No. 2 defense. • Third-year safety Jay Ward broke up a pass Saturday. He looks more comfortable than ever in Flores' defense. Advertisement • Rookie linebacker Kobe King has taken snaps alongside Eric Wilson with the No. 2 defense. Where that leaves Brian Asamoah II, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, is a fair question. • Undrafted safety Mishael Powell deflected a pass in the red zone Saturday. He could wow fans in the preseason. • The No. 3 tight end position is still a question mark. Gavin Bartholomew, whom the team drafted in the seventh round, hasn't practiced because of a serious back injury. Undrafted Ben Yurosek is the leader in the clubhouse for the job, unless the Vikings acquire a tight end.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Vikings S Josh Metellus agrees to multi-year extension
July 26 - Minnesota Vikings versatile safety Josh Metellus agreed to terms on a multi-year extension, head coach Kevin O'Connell announced on Saturday. While the Vikings did not divulge terms of the deal, multiple media outlets reported it was a three-year, $36 million extension. Agent Drew Rosenhaus said the contract has a maximum value of $42 million that includes $25 million guaranteed. Metellus, 27, was slated to earn $3.675 million in 2025 before the start of the extension. "I think, last year at one point, I counted in one game he lined up in seven different spots," O'Connell said about Metellus. "I think his role is wildly dynamic." Metellus recorded 103 tackles and a career-high two interceptions in 17 games (10 starts) last season. He has totaled 283 tackles, five forced fumbles and four interceptions in 82 career games (30 starts) since being selected by Minnesota in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. --Field Level Media
New York Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Vikings sign Josh Metellus to 3-year extension: How he thrives in Minnesota's system
EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings placed the cherry on top of an efficient offseason Saturday, agreeing to terms with safety Josh Metellus on a new three-year contract worth up to $42 million, the team announced. 'Such a vital part of our success on and off the field,' coach Kevin O'Connell said. 'It's hard to imagine them making them any better as a player and person than Josh Metellus.' Advertisement This wasn't a surprise. Metellus is represented by agent Drew Rosenhaus, who has orchestrated numerous deals with the Vikings in recent years. Over the last few months, Metellus deferred any contract questions to Rosenhaus, and last week, the defensive back spoke optimistically about the possibility. He said Saturday that he never wavered in his preference. He wanted to remain with the Vikings, the team that drafted him in 2020 in the sixth round. He also knew that his versatility could come with complexity in terms of how much he'd be worth. Metellus' impact runs parallel to defensive coordinator Brian Flores's arrival in 2023. Metellus had already become a key special teams contributor at that point, but Flores recognized Metellus' physical traits and mental acumen. Metellus played 1,065 defensive snaps in 2023, then 991 last year. He has combined for 219 tackles, five forced fumbles and three interceptions over that span — a statistics package depicting all of his abilities. 'At the end of the day, the versatility is just who I am as a player,' Metellus said. 'I always tell you guys I'm a big football guy. I don't like to get into positions. I just think I'm a damn good football player.' Include his role behind the scenes — few members of the Vikings' roster are more reliable for youngsters needing advice — and it's easy to understand why Minnesota sought to keep him in purple. This deal punctuates an active offseason. The team extended O'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. It improved the trenches both offensively and defensively. It extended edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel and tight end Josh Oliver. The only item remaining on the laundry list is ensuring young quarterback J.J. McCarthy is as prepared as possible come Week 1 in Chicago on Monday night. The 27-year-old has become one of the cornerstones of Flores's helter-skelter defense. He's categorized on the team website as a safety, but that doesn't do it justice. Advertisement He plays linebacker. He's frequently lined up against bigger-bodied receivers and tight ends in the slot. He'll even align on the line of scrimmage, showing the potential that he could rush the passer. Last year, Flores said: 'Josh is as valuable a player on the roster as we have.' Metellus' contract was set to expire after the 2025 season, and the Vikings' safety room already thinned this offseason with Cam Bynum's departure. Securing Metellus keeps another one of the defense's core players intact. It also eliminates any potential preseason hoopla. One of the bright points of Adofo-Mensah's tenure is the team's ability to generate these deals without any publicly disgruntled parties. That's a rarity in the NFL. Few coordinators have done as exceptional a job as Flores over the last two seasons. Metellus has had a hard time in recent days quelling his excitement for what's possible during this go-around. There's optimism in how much interior defenders Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave will affect the quarterback, which will force the ball out faster. The early returns on cornerback signings Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah have also been positive. O'Connell spent a minute Saturday expressing how impressive Rodgers has been in terms of how often he's in the correct positions. Minnesota has done enough through two seasons that they won't be able to reinvent the entire wheel, but Flores will certainly have some schematic tweaks up his sleeve to confound quarterbacks just as he has the last couple of years.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Vikings sign Joshua Metellus to three-year deal worth $25 million guaranteed
The Vikings have announced they have signed safety Joshua Metellus to a three-year contract extension. The deal will keep him in purple through the 2028 season. The deal includes a guaranteed $25 million and could reach as high as $42 million with incentives. Metellus, a three-time team captain, is entering his sixth season with the Vikings. Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell spoke about the deal after Saturday's practice. "Very excited to highlight and point out to you that Josh Metellus has agreed to a contract extension. Multi-year captain since I've been here, such a vital part of our success on and off the field," O'Connell said. "It's hard to imagine them making them any better as a player or person than Josh Metellus -- what he means to me personally, our friendship, our bond we formed. Absolutely thrilled for Josh, his family, and Vikings fans that they get to see him for years to come in a role that's become really special to him and how he's attacked it and helped us become what we are defensively." Metellus is a jack-of-all-trades on defense, and Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores deploys his unique skillset in a multitude of positions across the defense. Metellus played 1,192 total snaps last year, which was a team high. The Vikings picked Metellus out of Michigan in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
