EAGAN, Minn. — The playcall stayed with Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell late into Sunday evening.
The Vikings had confronted third-and-1 from midfield, hoping to increase a 10-9 lead on the opening possession of the third quarter in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens. O’Connell did what he has performed extra typically than any of his friends in related conditions since arriving in Minnesota 4 seasons in the past. He known as a cross, and never only a protected rollout or fast throw to the flat. The play was a deep throw to All-Professional receiver Justin Jefferson, designed to induce single protection from the Ravens’ protection, with the concept that the Vikings might at all times run on fourth down if it fell incomplete.
The consequence was much more disastrous. Jefferson tripped and fell throughout contact with Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, leaving Humphrey to seize a simple interception of quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s throw. The play sparked a turning level in a recreation the Vikings misplaced 27-19.
O’Connell mentioned Monday that he wrestled with the decision. With a younger quarterback, ought to he have dialed again his trademark aggressiveness? Would a greater choice have been operating backs Aaron Jones Sr. or Jordan Mason, who’ve transformed six first downs in 9 makes an attempt this season by way of rushes when it was third- or fourth-and-short? Did O’Connell underestimate what he known as the 1% likelihood that Jefferson would fall?
In the end, O’Connell mentioned, the reply was clear.
“Greatest receiver in soccer in a one-on-one with a run name you be ok with on fourth-and-1,” O’Connell mentioned. “I’d not change that decision.”
MARLON HUMPHREY INTERCEPTION!!!!
TUNE IN ON FOX. pic.twitter.com/heIHiV6VD0
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 9, 2025
The episode — the decision, the interior second-guessing and the stalwart affirmation — neatly encapsulated the best way O’Connell is threading the needle of McCarthy’s debut season. The Vikings have constructed a roster they hoped would help a quarterback creating in actual time, and O’Connell has made some incremental adjustments to his scheme and playcalling. However it’s clear that he has not modified his core beliefs. What has emerged, following McCarthy’s return from a excessive proper ankle sprain, is that O’Connell’s methodology for quarterback growth consists of placing the participant in some tough and uncomfortable positions to assist spur development.
Because of this, the Vikings usually are not merely giving McCarthy one-read performs and simple throws. They’re nonetheless pushing the ball down the sector. Among the many 46 NFL quarterbacks who’ve made no less than one begin this season, McCarthy has the best common air yards per throw at 10.1.
O’Connell remains to be calling passes on third-and-short as a lot as any offensive playcaller within the league, even because it contributes to one of many NFL’s lowest third-down conversion charges. The Vikings’ pre-snap motions have continued at roughly the identical charge (60%) as they did from 2022 to 2024, which could have contributed to a team-record eight false begins in Sunday’s recreation. O’Connell has even maintained his affinity for double-pass trick performs, together with one to McCarthy from Jefferson that fell two yards wanting a primary down in opposition to the Ravens.
“A part of the expansion and growth is we have to let him play a little bit bit,” O’Connell mentioned of McCarthy, “and we’re attempting to determine that stability that offers you an opportunity … to win the soccer recreation ultimately. Each snap proper now, there’s main development in studying and instructing happening for a man that was actually making his fourth begin.”
O’Connell famously mentioned in 2024 that “organizations fail younger quarterbacks earlier than younger quarterbacks fail organizations.” He’s hyper-aware of the methods McCarthy might be overwhelmed by the circumstances round him. That is largely why the Vikings sidelined him for the complete six weeks of his authentic two-to-six-week restoration timetable from the ankle harm, although he was out there as their emergency third quarterback for the ultimate two weeks. O’Connell didn’t need McCarthy attempting to compensate for an harm whereas additionally managing the workload he deliberate to provide him.
Since returning, McCarthy has used his mobility to run 14 occasions for 60 yards and a landing, whereas additionally transferring 17 of his 78 dropbacks out of the pocket, tied for the third most within the NFL over that interval. After his first recreation again, a 27-24 upset of the Detroit Lions, McCarthy thanked O’Connell “for his perspective on coping with” the harm “as a result of I felt like I went on the market one hundred percent and simply again the place I left off.”
And whereas there are some high-end ranges of the Vikings’ offense which have remained dormant, O’Connell has nonetheless given McCarthy a full NFL-level workload. Within the Vikings’ previous two video games, O’Connell has known as a designed cross on 67.8% of their performs. That features 83.8% within the second half in opposition to the Ravens as they fell behind by two scores and handled a complete of eight false begin penalties that restricted operating alternatives. McCarthy’s accuracy dipped noticeably as the sport wore on, and within the fourth quarter, 40% of his throws have been astray, in keeping with ESPN Analysis.
“I simply assume it is all regular, for my part,” O’Connell mentioned, “a part of type of the place he is at and his growth, which is one thing that is very encouraging. The good half is seeing the [competitiveness] and the desire to win and his capacity to play that model of recreation that we needed to play, particularly late. However that is not the sport we need to play proper now, and I obtained to do a greater job holding us in that recreation.”
That try at balancing McCarthy’s growth with giving the almost $350 million roster an opportunity to win explains why the third-and-1 playcall stayed with O’Connell for hours after Sunday’s recreation. However his determination, and doubling down the subsequent day, shouldn’t be a shock for long-term observers of his playcalling in Minnesota.
From 2022 to 2024, the Vikings had the NFL’s highest proportion of passes on third-and-1 or third-and-2 within the NFL (61.2%). Their conversion charge on such performs was 63.1%, No. 16 within the NFL. This season, which incorporates 5 begins by backup Carson Wentz and 4 by McCarthy, the Vikings are tied with the Lions for the best charge of passes in these conditions (58.3%) and are No. 32 in conversions (33.3%).
McCarthy has had 9 dropbacks in these conditions. He has tried 5 passes (all incomplete), taken three sacks and rushed one time for 14 yards and a primary down.
In whole, the Vikings’ strategy with McCarthy has offered sufficient spectacular NFL-caliber throws to provide them confidence that he’s heading in the right direction. Probably the most notable instance was a 16-yard back-shoulder throw he lofted to receiver Jalen Nailor on third-and-5 to seal a 27-24 upset of the Lions in Week 9.
These performs, nevertheless, exist amid a a lot bigger panorama of foibles. In whole, McCarthy ranks among the many lowest-performing quarterbacks within the NFL this season. Of the 46 quarterbacks who’ve made no less than one begin, McCarthy’s QBR (26.8) and off-target proportion (22.1%) each rank No. 44. His common yards per recreation (173) ranks No. 32.
McCarthy, for one, has taken an appropriately long-term strategy. Every play — good, dangerous or detached — is one other knowledge level to obtain and use for future experiences.
“I really feel like the best studying software for anyone, no matter place, no matter career, is expertise,” he mentioned.