PHOENIX — The Minnesota Vikings entered free agency with a clear plan.
They wanted to exercise patience. They prioritized adding depth to the quarterback room. Anything that forced them to manufacture a move, anything that forced the Vikings outside the bumpers they set for themselves, was avoided.
This approach preceded the annual league meetings, going on this week at the Arizona Biltmore. On Monday, co-owner Mark Wilf, head coach Kevin O’Connell and interim general manager Rob Brzezinski met with local reporters. Unsurprisingly, the quarterbacks dominated the conversation.
O’Connell discussed Kyler Murray’s fit in his system. Wilf offered his perspective on the signing. They all broached the subject of 23-year-old J.J. McCarthy’s development. The collective comments crystallized Minnesota’s plan and process heading into the spring, summer and fall.
Here are my takeaways:
Murray’s fit in O’Connell’s offense
One of the primary questions about Murray’s signing was how he and O’Connell would jell. The quarterback is best known as an out-of-structure dynamo. O’Connell, meanwhile, orchestrates a timing-based, thoughtfully designed offense.
What does O’Connell think of some of the skepticism around the marriage of the two styles?
“I don’t think he’s gotten enough credit for playing in rhythm,” O’Connell said Monday. “We all recognize some of the highlight-reel ability that he has. … But I think sometimes what we don’t recognize is the third-and-7 right before the huge scramble play.”
He cited examples from film. A completion to Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride might seem simple, O’Connell said, but a deeper dive reveals a pinpoint throw on a high-level passing concept.
When O’Connell onboards quarterbacks, he often uses film sessions to inspire faith. It allows O’Connell to appreciate the high-level talent. It also gives him a chance to assess, via their reactions and expressions, what a player likes and doesn’t like. Among all of the aspects of his job as the franchise’s primary figurehead, these moments are his favorite.
Working with Murray, beginning with organized team activities, is likely to be energizing. It’ll spur creativity. The Vikings will toy more than they have in the past with shotgun sets, offset shotgun formations and the pistol. Marrying this passing structure with a complementary run game is a major offseason focus.
That is not to say, though, that the Vikings will be shifting drastically away from their under-center bread and butter.
“Kyler is dynamic in the keeper game and movement game with his natural athleticism,” O’Connell said. “I see a lot of ways that we’ll be able to continue the evolution of our offense in Year 5.”
Because Murray has a different skill set than the Vikings quarterbacks of the recent past, and because the coaches will have an entire offseason to plan how to harness it, they will almost have to explore different ways to maximize players’ talents.
Wilf said he recognized motivation in Murray’s voice when they initially spoke.
“The first thing on his mind was, ‘I want to win championships,’” Wilf said. “That’s what we’re about, too. He’s going to be a great addition.”
McCarthy’s progress
Last year at the league meetings, Wilf spoke positively about McCarthy’s opportunity to start. He and the rest of the Vikings ownership group rode the topsy-turvy wave of McCarthy’s 2025 season. Where do they stand now on McCarthy?
“I think J.J. has a bright future ahead of him,” Wilf said. “He’s incredibly talented. We certainly have confidence in J.J. McCarthy, and I know Coach (O’Connell) does as well.”
McCarthy spent most of the offseason with private quarterbacks coach John Beck working on layering and refining his footwork. He has since returned to Minnesota. Although the Vikings coaches aren’t permitted to work with McCarthy on the field, he has spent a significant amount of time at the TCO Performance Center with the strength and conditioning staff.
If O’Connell has noticed anything about McCarthy in the short time he’s been back, it’s perspective.
“He knows what it’s felt like to go in there and do some things at a very high level,” O’Connell said. “Now, it’s about consistency, being in a competitive situation not for any other reason than to continue the arc of trying to become the best player he can possibly become.”
O’Connell, Brzezinski and Wilf all mentioned the competitive aspect of the quarterback room as a potential catalyst. Upholding a standard is the idea. There is no longer a safety net for McCarthy or any of these quarterbacks. Daily habits and results will drive the coaches’ decisions.
Brzezinski said the team “was thrilled” to add veteran Carson Wentz. He also noted second-year man Max Brosmer.
“We’ve got a really good room,” Brzezinski said. “We’re excited about it.”
Offseason QB reps
O’Connell was asked how he plans to divvy up the offseason reps among the quarterbacks. He said the Vikings will slow-play the process in the spring.
Essentially, all of the quarterbacks will be throwing to all of the receivers in the routes-on-air portions of practice. O’Connell tends to prefer a slow buildup. Mostly, the early months of the calendar are more about mastering the footwork and timing required for his system.
“We’re expecting our full group of wide receivers to be there every day,” he said. “That part of the offseason program is more so the teaching and learning phase. … There will be a time and place (for counting throws).”
The Vikings wanted to bring back Wentz because they witnessed him operate their system without training camp reps in 2025. He offers flexibility. The Vikings can position Murray with the first-team group this fall to determine which plays suit him best. They can also give McCarthy time to evaluate his progress.
Each quarterback, O’Connell said, will have an individual plan. Quarterbacks coach Josh McCown will monitor the day-to-day progress. Then O’Connell will use joint practices and preseason games for a more detailed review of each player’s baseline. In the end, the Vikings believe that the intensity in the quarterback room will carry over to the rest of the roster for the team’s betterment.
As far as the competitive situation goes, that’s what this is about as much as anything else.
