The Athletic: What I heard about Minnesota's QBs

[StickierBuns]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7159300...-meetings/

A good read here, check out the full story to get context to a few tidbits I pulled below:

"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.”

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.”

p.s. my two cents is that KOC is very intrigued with a motivated Kyler Murray heading up his offense. If we can get any semblance of health this year from the offensive line, the run game will be more effective. BFlo working his usual magic on the other side of the ball and you've got a potentially really solid football team. I think Viking's fans are going to fall hard for Murray's dynamism. I'll have to see it all unfold first, but I don't have any blinders on either. Can't deny my interest isn't piqued. And one last thing, lol: does this sound like a guy (KOC) thinking this is a 'competition'?

[Zanary]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7159300...-meetings/

A good read here, check out the full story to get context to a few tidbits I pulled below:

"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.”

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.”

p.s. my two cents is that KOC is very intrigued with a motivated Kyler Murray heading up his offense. If we can get any semblance of health this year from the offensive line, the run game will be more effective. BFlo working his usual magic on the other side of the ball and you've got a potentially really solid football team. I think Viking's fans are going to fall hard for Murray's dynamism. I'll have to see it all unfold first, but I don't have any blinders on either. Can't deny my interest isn't piqued. And one last thing, lol: does this sound like a guy (KOC) thinking this is a 'competition'?

Murray's definitely getting all the headlines...in March. As he's a former #1 pick, that's to be expected.

To my mind, he'll get a lot of the OTA attention as he and the system adapt to each other. That said, JJM seems to be in full work mode and will be making his case, which includes more familiarity with the verbage and the team. He's also very athletic, so it oughta be...intriguing.

[MaroonBells]

It's not a competition, but nor should it be. A 28-year-old, 7-year veteran who's proven he can play in the NFL at a high level vs. a kid who is still working on footwork and layering passes? C'mon. 

Unless there is some sort of massive, pernicious disconnect between Murray's play style and O'Connell's offense (not likely, but certainly possible), Murray will be our starter. And even in that case I think KOC would choose to work harder to repair the disconnect before sitting him. I think the minute Murray was benched in AZ, KOC started envisioning how his offense could adapt to accommodate a QB like that. 

But I'm hoping McCarthy is working his ass off to improve, because it's likely he's going to get a chance to show everyone how much he's improved. And if he does, that's a win for everyone. I'm a broken record on this, but there will be a point about 9 months from now where the Vikings are going to have to decide between paying Murray big money and paying JJM small money. At that point, the answer might be obvious. But it might not be. Hopefully, JJ gives the Vikings something to think about.

[purplefaithful]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7159300...-meetings/
A good read here, check out the full story to get context to a few tidbits I pulled below:
"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.”
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.”
p.s. my two cents is that KOC is very intrigued with a motivated Kyler Murray heading up his offense. If we can get any semblance of health this year from the offensive line, the run game will be more effective. BFlo working his usual magic on the other side of the ball and you've got a potentially really solid football team. I think Viking's fans are going to fall hard for Murray's dynamism. I'll have to see it all unfold first, but I don't have any blinders on either. Can't deny my interest isn't piqued.And one last thing, lol: does this sound like a guy (KOC) thinking this is a 'competition'?

I actually do, but I dont expect JJM to win that competition, with just 10 games under his belt...He'll have to get on the field by other means, not sure what those are and I dont want KM to get hurt either. 

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.

[Zanary]

It's not a competition, but nor should it be. A 28-year-old, 7-year veteran who's proven he can play in the NFL at a high level vs. a kid who is still working on footwork and layering passes? C'mon. 

Unless there is some sort of massive, pernicious disconnect between Murray's play style and O'Connell's offense (not likely, but certainly possible), Murray will be our starter. And even in that case I think KOC would choose to work harder to repair the disconnect before sitting him. I think the minute Murray was benched in AZ, KOC started envisioning how his offense could adapt to accommodate a QB like that. 

But I'm hoping McCarthy is working his ass off to improve, because it's likely he's going to get a chance to show everyone how much he's improved. And if he does, that's a win for everyone. I'm a broken record on this, but there will be a point about 9 months from now where the Vikings are going to have to decide between paying Murray big money and paying JJM small money. At that point, the answer might be obvious. But it might not be. Hopefully, JJ gives the Vikings something to think about.

Murray has failed to live up to his #1 pick for his entire career, minus one winning season. His long ball game has been in decline, and his accuracy numbers are aided greatly by recent dink and dunk approaches to his passing.

I won't deny thinking that he was overrated for years, nor do I deny hoping that JJM has enormous progress towards earning and keeping our QB1 position.

Regardless, we won't know much that matters until camp at the earliest.

[StickierBuns]

I actually do, but I dont expect JJM to win that competition, with just 10 games under his belt...He'll have to get on the field by other means, not sure what those are and I dont want KM to get hurt either. 

You sure about that? KOC can't stop talking about Murray as QB1 in every scenario, lol. Below is hilarious because he says KM.....then catches himself and adds the ol' 'other QBs' line. Its not a competition.

VikingzFanPage
@vikingzfanpage
·
7m
#Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell on how defenses will play against their weapons on offense:

“I call it the Justin Jefferson program. If they’re playing man coverage, they’re absolutely not playing Justin 1 on 1… what that means if you’re going to try and play those coverages, and have a spy for Kyler Murray, or for that matter any of our other QB’s, you’re leaving yourself a 3 man rush… so you have to ask yourself, what do you have to take away. If the answer is Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison, there’s going to be some opportunity (for everyone else on offense).”

(Via
@KFAN1003)

[purplefaithful]

You sure about that? KOC can't stop talking about Murray as QB1 in every scenario, lol. Below is hilarious because he says KM.....then catches himself and adds the ol' 'other QBs' line. Its not a competition.
VikingzFanPage
@vikingzfanpage
·
7m
#Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell on how defenses will play against their weapons on offense:
“I call it the Justin Jefferson program. If they’re playing man coverage, they’re absolutely not playing Justin 1 on 1… what that means if you’re going to try and play those coverages, and have a spy for Kyler Murray, or for that matter any of our other QB’s, you’re leaving yourself a 3 man rush… so you have to ask yourself, what do you have to take away. If the answer is Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison, there’s going to be some opportunity (for everyone else on offense).”
(Via
@KFAN1003)

I dont know Sticky, I'm not sure thats as much a tell as you think? 

But I'm open to the the reality you could be right...I think they'll call it a competition through the first PS game or two. 

This is why I'd love to hear JJ's thoughts about things going into OTA's. Even then, I suspect he'll say all the right things, he's pretty polished in front of the mic and with the press. 

But MB might have characterized it better than me:
It's not a competition, but nor should it be. A 28-year-old, 7-year veteran who's proven he can play in the NFL at a high level vs. a kid who is still working on footwork and layering passes? C'mon.

[JR44]

The pre season games will be interesting as the Vikes have really pulled back on the reps their starting QBs get in those games if at all. Are we going to be seeing equal reps as you would in a typical competition and vary which QB starts. My guess is Murray starts and gets 1 or 2 series tops. and we then see mostly JJM, Wentz and Brosmer. I actually think that will really benefit JJM as it will give him an opportunity to show his improvement and also get reps against 2nd/3rd teams.

[MaroonBells]

Murray has failed to live up to his #1 pick for his entire career, minus one winning season. His long ball game has been in decline, and his accuracy numbers are aided greatly by recent dink and dunk approaches to his passing.

I won't deny thinking that he was overrated for years, nor do I deny hoping that JJM has enormous progress towards earning and keeping our QB1 position.

Regardless, we won't know much that matters until camp at the earliest.

Failed to live up to the #1 pick? Against what standard? Cam Ward? Caleb Williams? Bryce Young? Murray was Rookie of the Year in 2019, voted to the Pro Bowl in 2020, then again in 2021. In 2022 he tore his ACL. At the time, despite Deandre Hopkins missing half the season, had 17 total TDs and 7 INTs. Missed half of 2023 due to same ACL. Despite missing 9 games and playing in a new offense under Petzing, he still had 13 TDs and 5 INTs. He played a full season in 2024 with 26 TDs and 11 INTs, including a game where he had a perfect passer rating in a 41-10 beating of the Rams. 

Is there a chance he gets hurt? Of course. Is there a chance it takes a while to connect scheme to QB and QB to scheme? Absolutely. But the Vikings haven't had a QB with this much talent in a long time. 

Wins are a team stat, not a QB stat. And Murray will be playing on a team with a better scheme, better weapons, a better offensive line, and a better defense than any other team he had while in Arizona. If it all blows up in our faces, well damn, there goes all those draft picks we gave up and all that money we paid him. 

Oh...wait...

[StickierBuns]

Dustin Baker
@DustBaker
·
43m
you can cross a real QB competition off your summer scorecard. lol
Quote
VikingzFanPage
@vikingzfanpage
·
1h
#Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell on how defenses will play against their weapons on offense:

“I call it the Justin Jefferson program. If they’re playing man coverage, they’re absolutely not playing Justin 1 on 1… what that means if you’re