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Kevin Seifert
Eagan, Minnesota – Campo de los Vikings, JJ McCarthy, will not have limitations during the team’s low season program, said coach Kevin O’Connell on Monday when players reported for their first day of voluntary training.
McCarthy, the number 10 of the 2024 Draft, was lost its rookie season due to a meniscus torn in its right knee, but has been working at the team’s facilities during the majority of the last three months to build its body back from the long dismissal.
“I think it’s ready to start running from today,” O’Connell said.
The Vikings have not appointed McCarthy their title 2025, but they have said goodbye to three quartbacks that spent time with them last season, Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones and Nick Mullens, and have not yet signed a replacement. Brett Rypien is the only other Quarterback on the list. The Vikings maintained serious internal discussions about the signing of veteran Aaron Rodgers last month, but stopped the idea while McCarthy works during the low season.
O’Connell said Monday that “we have a fairly detailed plan on how we want to” add one or more field marshal to the list. The delay can be partially attributed to the deadline after the NFL draft for free agents that affect the equipment formulas for compensatory draft selections. But General Manager Kwesi Adafo-Menah said last week that the formula is not the only factor.
“We have been patient and we really evaluate many different ways in which we could do it,” said O’Connell about adding another field marshal. “There are potential trades and free agencies and even the draft. We are going through a process of discovering who is the player that we want to solidify that room to know that JJ and Brett are working here, starting today, and eventually we will complete that room and we will still have a competitive situation there, however, look at it.”
Carson Wentz is among a handful of veteran field marshals that are still available in the free agents market. Players that could be available through trade include Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons, Sam Howell de los Seattle Seahawks and Aidan O’Connell of Los Vegas Raiders.
However, in the absence of any evidence otherwise, Vikings players are preparing for the probability that McCarthy will be the headline.
“It looks great,” said Corridor Aaron Jones. “I have seen it moving today. It looks good in the weight room, it looks good, confident. I have a lot of confidence in him. He has all the support around him and we are here to lift him and he will be ready to leave.”
