KEVIN O’CONNELL – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

NFL Authority: J.J. McCarthy Will Be ‘Pro Bowl Quarterback’

Posted on December 9, 2025December 9, 2025 by David Shama

A source who in the past has held positions of authority regarding player personnel with NFL franchises, told Sports Headliners the Vikings have a “down the road caliber Pro Bowl quarterback” in first-year starter J.J. McCarthy.

The 22-year-old has been under a microscope this fall, with heavy criticism often directed at him amidst speculation his career will be a dud. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said McCarthy’s inexperience while coping with a “complicated offense” has created a challenge. Results include throwing more interceptions (10) than touchdown passes (9) and generally having metrics that rank low among his competitors.

“He’s been thinking too much, holding the ball…and then making some poor decisions,” the authority said. “And (yet)…(Sunday) was an example of what kind of talent level he has, and that he’s going to continue to get better and better and better. …”

In Sunday’s home 31-0 win over the Commanders, McCarthy had his best game of the season. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 163 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. His season quarterback rating moved to 67.4, after Sunday’s rating of 129.2.

It may well have been McCarthy’s best game also in going through his progressions and reading the situation on the field. “There were some occasions, yeah, when he would get locked in (on one target), or he held the ball a couple times, took sacks,” the source said. “But, hey, at least he didn’t throw any catastrophic interceptions like (Max) Brosmer did. Or like J.J. has done in the past.”

McCarthy has been under scrutiny for his throwing mechanics but that’s not the talk of the town this week. Head coach Kevin O’Connell publicly discussed mechanics in the past but the more recent message seems to be the issue can better be addressed in the offseason. “Obviously one of the factors was O’Connell told him they’re not going to worry about his mechanics as much and worry more about his decision making, and I think that showed (Sunday),” the source said.

The authority pointed out that promising young quarterbacks often take time to develop and produce expected results. He mentioned now Hall of Famer Peyton Manning who threw 28 pass interceptions during his rookie season when the Colts were 3-11. Caleb Williams, the NFL Draft No. 1 overall pick in 2024, struggled last season with the Bears but now is playing at a much higher level for his NFC North Division title contender.

The source said McCarthy has both the work ethic and talent to be exceptional. “I think he has shown his talent level which is high. I think the arm strength is high when you look at some of those long sideline throws he made on Sunday to (Jordan) Addison, to (T.J.) Hockenson. Those are where a quarterback shows their arm strength. Sometimes even more than (a) deep ball. . ..”

The growth line may continue to rise for McCarthy against the next two teams. Sunday night in Dallas the Vikings face a Cowboys pass defense that ranks last among 32 NFL teams in most yards given up, 3,543. On December 20, again on the road, McCarthy will face a Giants pass defense that has yielded 3,202 yards.

If the source sees a Pro Bowl future for McCarthy, he must believe there are at least several years ahead where he will lead the Vikings, right? “Yes. I don’t think there is any doubt but I do think they’re going to need to bring in a better No. 2 than they had this year. More durable than Carson Wentz. More reliable than Wentz.

“I think we saw enough of Max Brosmer to not believe he’s the answer necessarily. I mean over time he can develop but not for 2026. I think they have to have a guy who, if J.J. gets hurt, or he’s having a bad day, they can bring somebody in. …”

Twins Notes

Passionate Twins fans are anticipating the debut of outfielder Walker Jenkins during the 2026 season. Word is the 20-year-old former first round draft choice is likely to join the roster at some point in the season.

One of baseball’s most highly ranked prospects, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound North Carolina native has an impressive athletic make up and is said to have a mature mindset. In 718 minor league at bats, he has a career .295 batting average with 19 home runs and 114 RBI. He also has stolen 14 bases.

Jenkins would join a reshuffled roster that is expected to have several other new players, including in the bullpen. The front office has holes to fill there and could use help at first base and with a right-handed hitting outfielder.

Word is the Twins ownership and management intent is to challenge for the American League Central Division title. If so, they likely need high level production from multiple returnees including the Big 3 of outfielder Byron Buxton and starting pitchers Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan.

Rumors of trading any, some or all of them has faded of late. Buxton has a no-trade clause in his contract so he would have to agree to playing for another team.

It’s believed the Twins’ two new minority investors will be announced prior to year’s end. The Pohlad family is likely to continue majority ownership indefinitely.

Comments Welcome

Time for Vikings to Try Rookie Max Brosmer at Quarterback?

Posted on November 23, 2025November 23, 2025 by David Shama

Packer fans will savor their Old-Fashioneds in Dairyland supper clubs tonight. The Old Style’s will taste crisp in Wisconsin’s dive bars after the beloved Packers dominated the Vikings 23-6 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

Vikings fans? They’re crying in their brews.

Me? I am sipping a Red Bull after watching a sleepy Viking offense run 15 plays in the second half for four yards!

The Vikings, now 4-7 and fading fast in the playoff hunt, had won two consecutive games at historic Lambeau—the venue judged the best in the NFL for fan experience by USA Today and Sports Illustrated earlier this year. But the 7-3-1 Packers dominated the game in which the Minnesota offense could produce only two long field goals by Will Reichard.

Reichard’s first half boots of 52 and 59 yards made the comments before the game of Viking coach Kevin O’Connell look prophetic. He told the KFAN Radio audience his “confidence is sky high” in the second-year place kicker from Alabama.

Nobody feels that way about the Vikings’ starting quarterback, though. J.J. McCarthy completed 12 of 19 passes for a measly 87 yards. He also threw two second half interceptions.

The 22-year-old, in his first season as the starter, began the game with a completion. Then he missed on his next three.

It was a similar game performance for McCarthy as seen much of the season. His accuracy was missing and his decision making, too. He held the ball too long and was sacked five times.

The 2024 first round draft choice, who missed last season with a knee injury, is now 2-4 as a starter. KOC is a proven QB whisperer but not a miracle man. He’s stressed his support for his inexperienced quarterback while acknowledging McCarthy’s issues including his mechanics.

McCarthy has had six games to play. There are seven games remaining on the Minnesota schedule.

Why not give rookie Max Brosmer a start next Sunday in Seattle against the Seahawks? If it’s a successful debut, let him audition in more games. Maybe all of them.

Brosmer, by all accounts, is mentally an exceptional rookie in his understanding of football, the offense and ability to process. As an undrafted rookie, he’s already surprised by emerging as the team’s No. 2 behind McCarthy.

The former Golden Gophers quarterback is two years older than McCarthy and had more college experience. He played five years at FCS New Hampshire and one at Minnesota. McCarthy played three seasons for Michigan.

Brosmer has played briefly in two regular-season games, attempting eight passes, completing five and throwing for 42 yards. He played in all three preseason games and completed 35 of 58 passes for 364 yards and two touchdowns.

Earlier in the fall KOC was asked about Brosmer and he noted the progress and improvement of the Georgia native who Gopher coach P.J. Fleck predicted last year would become an NFL player. KOC said in a game Brosmer would have his confidence and that of his teammates.

McCarthy’s struggles are such that he might prosper by sitting and watching. At least for a while.

Right now, it isn’t just the lack of points the Vikings are producing. It’s also that the offense’s ineffectiveness is leaving the defense on the field too long. Today the Green Bay time of possession was 37:15. Minnesota’s TOP was 22:45.

Replacing him in the starting lineup isn’t a death sentence to his career. Any knowledgeable football authority knows that failure often precedes success for NFL quarterbacks. Look no further than the Seahawks to recall that Sam Darnold, their new quarterback, was a first round bust until KOC revived his career with the Vikings last year.

A demotion now shouldn’t make any fans write McCarthy off, even in the short term of the next 12 months. That would be crazy. He might emerge as a better player in 2026 or beyond, either with the Vikings or some other team.

But at this moment, the Vikings have an opportunity to change the script, at least for a while, on the McCarthy experiment. Try another way with Brosmer while there are still meaningful games.

Whoever starts at quarterback next week, BTW, may have to work behind a patchwork offensive line. At Lambeau today offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (foot) and offensive guard Donovan Jackson (ankle) had to leave the game.

Ironically, for the first time this season, the Vikings started out with their preseason hoped-for starters. Making his return to join Darrisaw, Jackson, guard Will Fries and tackle Brian O’Neill was center Ryan Kelly who had been out all season with a concussion.

Wearing a soft-shell pad over his helmet, Kelly looked outstanding in both run and pass blocking. His blocking helped give some early game rushing help to Aaron Jones, Sr. and Jordan Mason.

Kelly was part of a busy offseason acquisition effort by Vikings management. He came as a free agent from the Colts where he was a four-time Pro Bowler.

The Vikings were willing to shake things up in the offseason by bringing in new players like Kelly, Fries, and defensive lineman Jonathan Allen. Is it time to make a move at quarterback?

3 comments

Vikings Head Coach O’Connell Calls Boo-Birds ‘Justified’

Posted on November 17, 2025November 17, 2025 by David Shama

The Vikings disappointed themselves and their sometimes booing home crowd in yesterday’s closing seconds 19-17 loss to the Bears when Chicago’s Cairo Santos booted a walk-off 48-yard field goal.

Part of the fan frustration focused on Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy whose inconsistent play included an on-point performance leading the Vikings to a touchdown drive that put them ahead 17-16 with 50 seconds to play but also included completing just 50 percent of his passes and throwing two interceptions.

McCarthy’s lack of accuracy was an issue all game, with balls frequently off target. About halfway through the third period he threw high on an incomplete pass to franchise wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

The boos cascaded down on the field inside U.S. Bank Stadium.

McCarthy, 22, made just his fifth NFL start yesterday. He has minimal experience in his first season as a starter and is dealing with a lot playing for a team with preseason playoff expectations. Head coach Kevin O’Connell was asked today if he was concerned the boos could negatively impact the confidence of the young quarterback.

O’Connell answered no and termed the disgruntlement as justified because the fans have understandable expectations for his team. “The mental toughness and the physical toughness of the player is clear and evident to everybody,” the coach said. “I understand and I think J.J. does (too), the frustration with maybe seeing Justin or (WR) Jordan (Addison) or somebody open and we don’t throw and catch that. There’s a standard we have for ourselves that I hope our fans have for us. I think all that is valid and justified. …”

O’Connell believes all the ongoing preparation work in practice can lead to better performances by his quarterback. That improvement, he said, is expected by others on the team, too.

O’Connell praised the effort and physical play of his team that is now 4-6 and plays in Green Bay Sunday against the 6-3-1 Packers, while stressing the Vikings need to be more consistent in their play. “…We’re going to keep attacking in a way that hopefully makes our fans proud of the way we’re fighting like heck to go 1-0 every week,” O’Connell said.

Worth Noting

Here is an intriguing stat from local sports talk host Phil Mackey writing on X yesterday: With McCarthy quarterbacking, the Vikings have called 16 pass plays on third and fourth downs in short yardage (three yards or less). The results? Zero completions.

Case Keenum, 37 and the quarterback hero of the 2017 Vikings, is the third team QB for the Bears but wasn’t activated for yesterday’s game.

Austin Booker, the Bears defensive lineman who played for the Gophers and Kansas, started at defensive end and the 2024 draft choice had one tackle and one assisted tackle in the game.

BetMGM has the Gophers as 4.5 point underdogs to Northwestern on Saturday at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The stadium also hosted last Saturday’s Michigan-Northwestern game and from 1921-1970 was the Bears home facility.

Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said today planning for footwear started even in the offseason for playing on grass in late November at Wrigley, the home of the baseball Cubs.

Fleck went to high school in the greater Chicago area and recalled this morning on KFAN Radio a field trip to see the Cubs when Kerry Wood tied a MLB record with 20 strikeouts in a 1998 win over the Astros.

BTW, the view here is Fleck won’t be leaving Minnesota for any of the numerous college football head coaching openings including UCLA where his name has been rumored.

The Gophers have been outscored by 125 to 19 in three Big Ten road losses to No. 1 ranked Ohio State, No. 6 Oregon and previously top 25 Iowa.

The 3-1 basketball Gophers needed overtime to defeat Green Bay by seven points Saturday night, while 3-2 St. Thomas beat the Phoenix 80-61 on Thursday in St. Paul. But the highly respected Pomeroy College Basketball ratings yesterday had Minnesota at No. 86 in the nation and the Tommies at 161.

Reliever Jhoan Duran, part of the Twins trade dump last summer, made the 2025 All-MLB team announced recently. The Phillies’ 27-year-old right-handed fast baller had a career best 32 saves.

Congratulations to ticketing executive Paul Froehle on his 40^th anniversary with the Twins. Earlier in his career he worked in ticket operations for the NHL North Stars.

In this crowded marketplace and during the upcoming holiday season, it will be interesting to monitor both the attendance and the game results at the IHF World Junior Championship December 26-January 5. The 10-nation tournament showcases the best under 20-year-old hockey players in the world. The United States will play Germany in an opening game December 26 at Grand Casino Arena. A portion of the 29-game tournament schedule will also be held at 3M Arena at Mariucci. https://www.nhl.com/news/2026-world-junior-championship-schedule

The U.S. has won the WJC seven times, including three of the past five years. The Americans are two-time defending champions having won 4-3 in overtime against Finland in the 2025 gold-medal game in Ottawa, and they defeated Sweden 6-2 in 2024 at Gothenburg, Sweden.

Minnesota hockey legend Lou Nanne and Gophers coach Bob Motzko will speak to the Twin Cities Dunkers about the tournament on December 1.

Comments Welcome