KEVIN O’CONNELL – Page 5 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

NFL Authority Not Touting Vikes Mullens as McCarthy Backup

Posted on March 3, 2025March 3, 2025 by David Shama

It appears likely the Vikings are moving on from Sam Darnold as their No. 1 quarterback and replacing him with J.J. McCarthy as the starter for the 2025 season. So, who will back up McCarthy?

Nick Mullens, the 29-year-old who backed up Darnold last year when McCarthy was injured and out for the season, has been with the Vikings since 2022, knows the offense and is a personable leader. But in his six-season NFL career, Mullens has thrown 31 interceptions in 34 games, including double-digit totals in two eight-game seasons starting for the 49ers.

“No, I don’t trust Nick Mullens,” a former executive with NFL teams told Sports Headliners. “I know he had a couple snaps last year and did okay, but we saw enough of him the year before to know that he’s a turnover machine (eight picks in 148 pass attempts).”

The source, asking that his name not be used, indicated the importance of a worthy backup is accentuated by McCarthy’s injury history as a rookie in 2024 who played in one preseason game before injuring his knee. He suggested it’s on the Vikings to find a higher-level talent with experience to be the No. 2 QB. Among names he mentioned were 27-year-old Daniel Jones who Minnesota acquired last fall and might re-sign in the offseason as a free agent.

The authority, who still follows the NFL closely including the Vikings, is okay with Mullens as No. 3 on the QB roster. He points out that Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell likes Jones and said that if he were in charge he would offer the former Giants 2019 first-round draft choice a two-year deal at $12.5 million.

Prior to joining the Vikings in late November, Jones completed 64.1 percent of his career passes for 14,582 yards, 70 touchdowns and 47 interceptions. A starter for 10 games with the Giants in 2024, he has 2,179 career rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 399 carries.

Sam Darnold image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have until 4 p.m. Tuesday to franchise tag Darnold, if that’s their intent. The move might cost Minnesota about $40 million and it’s believed the Vikings would do so only if they thought they could trade him for a high future draft choice. If they can’t move Darnold, then Minnesota would be stuck with the $40 million, eating up perhaps two-thirds of the franchise’s salary cap room to sign other players.

Darnold resurrected his pro career in his initial season with Minnesota. The Sporting News and Professional Football Writers Association of America both named him league Comeback Player of the Year for his 2024 production that included career highs in several passing categories.

Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 regular season record but disappointed in the two biggest games of the year. With the NFC No. 1 seed in the playoffs at stake, Darnold and the Vikings lost in their regular season finale to the Lions and then failed to win in Minnesota’s opening playoff game against the Rams. In the Lions game he twice missed a wide-open Justin Jefferson in the end zone. He was a combined 43 of 81 passes in the two games and was sacked nine times by the Rams.

The way Darnold played in his last two games tempers enthusiasm and interest in the 27-year-old who until 2024 had been an NFL journeyman. “It was so disappointing how he played at the end,” the source said. “I mean, really just killed them (Vikings’ chances).

“That’s why I say how can you put big money into a guy if you can’t trust him to win a big game? And you got a young guy (McCarthy) you picked 10^th overall who you expect to be the future, and you got a coach who is a great quarterback coach.

“That’s why it all makes sense that it’s going to be turned over to McCarthy. I’ll be surprised if that’s not the case. And I expect some team to probably give Darnold a decent deal and I don’t think the Vikings are going to try to match that. It would make no sense unless they didn’t have faith in McCarthy, which I think they do.”

Could Darnold raise his game to be elite on the biggest of stages? “It’s possible because we didn’t think he’d get to what he did last year in the first 16 games.” the authority said. “But you invested in a first-round pick and you think that guy is special, which potentially I think he could be.

“And the one thing about McCarthy, in the big games (in college) he was clutch. National championship, playoffs.

“And that’s what Darold wasn’t was clutch at the end. So to me, you cut the cord. …”

It’s thought that Darnold will seek a multi-year deal as a free agent with any one of several teams, with perhaps the Raiders and Steelers the most likely of suitors. Would they be willing to pay $35 to $40 million per season?

The Vikings, with their own free agent needs, are likely to spend cap money on re-signing players like cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. And shopping in free agency for help in the interior offensive and defensive lines, and at cornerback.

O’Connell seems committed to McCarthy who he referred to last year as the “young franchise quarterback.” The 22-year-old, who was 27-1 as a starter at Michigan and has an ideal NFL QB physique at 6-foot-3 and about 220 pounds, apparently is successfully rehabbing from knee surgery. He likely impressed teammates and coaches last year in the spring and summer with his physical skills and leadership.

The authority thinks the Vikings have long had a plan to make McCarthy the starter in year two of his NFL career. The bigger issue now looks like who will be his backup.

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Vikings Likely Know Answer on Key Sam Darnold Question

Posted on February 4, 2025February 4, 2025 by David Shama

Quarterback Sam Darnold resurrected his NFL career in his first season with the Vikings. The Sporting News and Professional Football Writers Association of America both named him league Comeback Player of the Year for his 2024 performance that included career highs in several passing categories.

Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 regular season record but wasn’t sharp in the two biggest games of the year. With the NFC No. 1 seed in the playoffs at stake, Darnold and the Vikings lost in their regular season finale to the Lions and then failed to win in Minnesota’s opening playoff game against the Rams. Darnold was a combined 43 of 81 passes in the two games and was sacked nine times by the Rams.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell and his staff convincingly showed the football world this fall their magic in creating elite quarterback play. The reality that Darnold struggled in his biggest games is mostly on him and his teammates, not the coaching staff.

What KOC and his helpers have likely decided by now is whether Darnold is a solid bet to be able to take the next potential step in his development—excelling in the biggest moments. Does he have the skills and mental makeup to lead the Vikings to the Super Bowl or at least the NFC title game in the near future?

The Vikings almost certainly have a good handle on what the ceiling is for the 27-year-old Darnold, a guy who for six pro seasons was a journeyman with other clubs.

Along with that comes the conundrum of whether J.J. McCarthy, the rookie last year who never saw the field because of his knee injury, is the better bet to take the franchise to championships. A 10-year-old knows building a Super Bowl contending team begins with a quarterback who is among the best in the NFL.

They have invested emotionally in McCarthy, the No. 10 draft choice in the first round in 2024. After McCarthy was hurt in the preseason, O’Connell referred to him as the “young franchise quarterback.”

If that is still KOC’s conviction, then the smart move is to franchise or transition tag Darnold for perhaps $40 million and trade him. There are at least a half dozen NFL teams looking for quarterbacks and the 2025 college draft is weak in QB prospects.

A trade could return player assets to the Vikings and allow the franchise to spend the $40 million upgrading talent at other positions and retaining their own free agents. Roster needs include the interior offensive and defensive lines and cornerback.

It could be a benefit that McCarthy missed his first year. He had the opportunity to learn the system while rehabbing from two knee procedures. He figures to be much more comfortable in the offense in 2025, if healthy.

If the Vikings let Darnold go and gamble on McCarthy, fingers will be crossed in Skol Country that the 22-year-old is ready in every way. If not, KOC will be looking for another bridge quarterback and trying to work his “magic” on a Darnold 2.0—e.g. Daniel Jones if he elects to stay with the team as a free agent starting next month.

Worth Noting

Daniel House, the college and pro football authority, told Sports Headliners defensive tackle is a deep and quality position in the April college draft. That could be good news for the Vikings who need help. Follow House on X @DanielHouseMN and on his Gophers and Vikings websites. https://gophersguru.com/ http://www.mnvikingscorner.com/

Running back is another position with quality and depth in the draft. Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, who was troublesome to the Gophers and others in the Big Ten, could certainly be available to the Vikings at No. 24 in the first round or after Day 1. The Vikings need an explosive runner as a successor to 30-year-old Aaron Jones.

Minnesota Breakfast attendees in Naples, Florida heard from first-year University of Minnesota president Rebecca Cunningham last Friday. Minneapolis-based attorney and journalist Marshall Tanick reported via email Dr. Cunningham “primarily focused on health sciences and technology challenges the University faces. But she touched upon Gopher athletics, telling the group of Minnesota expatriates and seasonal visitors that she and athletic Director Mark Coyle are ‘committed to having a competitive Big Ten program.’” She also praised the record 3.4 GPA compiled by U athletes last semester.

The expectation is that the drawn-out arbitration process to determine majority ownership of the Timberwolves and Lynx will conclude any day now. If the Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez group wins the litigation with long-time owner Glen Taylor, they still must get no less than 75 percent approval from the NBA Board of Governors.

Based on NBAstore.com data through the first half of the NBA season the Warriors’ Steph Curry had the top selling jersey, while the Wolves’ Anthony Edwards ranked No. 6.

The Timberwolves, trying to establish favorable seeding for the Western Conference playoffs later this year, are in the midst of a five-game homestand. They will also have a five-game home schedule March 1-8. Both slates will be significant in determining the team’s final record.

After last night’s loss to the Kings at Target Center the Wolves are 0-2 on the homestand that began Saturday night in a loss to the lowly Wizards. Coming up are games with the Bulls, Rockets and Trail Blazers.

The Wolves, 27-23, are only 12-12 in home games, while their road record is 15-11.

The Wild, 31-18-4 is 20-6-3 on the road and inexplicably 11-12-1 at Xcel Energy Center.

The Wild, who played nine road games in January, have their longest home schedule with seven games March 9-22. The month has Minnesota playing nine games at the Xcel, the most in any month this season.

If there is a men’s basketball head coaching vacancy at Minnesota or Iowa in the near future, it would be preposterous for hiring authorities to not have John Tauer on the short list of candidates who interest them. A Division III national champion at St. Thomas, Tauer has superbly guided the Tommies to Division I competition, and his 2025 team is in first place in the Summit League with an 8-1 record (18-6 overall).

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Net Rankings have Iowa No. 64, Minnesota No. 101 and St. Thomas No. 103.

With a deadline of February 27, the U Athletic Department is offering new purchasers of football season tickets two complimentary tickets to both a men’s and women’s Gopher home basketball game.

A concerning trend has developed with the U football staff. Offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca left for Rutgers after the 2022 season and defensive coordinator Joe Rossi departed for Michigan State following 2023. Rossi’s replacement, Corey Hetherman, recently left for Miami and this week comes news that defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere is headed to the NFL Cardinals.

All left for more money, including Ciarrocca who reportedly has received an extension that will pay him $2 million in 2027. Head coach P.J. Fleck attracts quality assistants but it’s difficult to retain them when the salary pool for his staff is at or near the bottom of the 18-member Big Ten Conference.

DeLattiboudere, who becomes the Arizona defensive line coach, played with Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, the Edina native, when the two were Gophers. Rallis was named defensive coordinator in 2023.

Perhaps the best clinic in the country for high school football coaches, the 2025 MFCA Clinic will be held March 27-29, with headquarters at the DoubleTree Park Place in St. Louis Park. Minnesota Football Coaches Association secretary-treasurer Jim Dotseth reported over 800 registrants so far. https://www.mnfootballcoaches.com/page/show/2279758-mfca-clinic-information

Almost 500 copies of The Book of Piv were sold on Amazon during a five-week period. The entertaining new book offers storytelling by Minneapolis native Jay Pivec, now retired but a well-traveled basketball coach who is in the NJCAA Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Lily Hubanks, a senior from Madison, Wisconsin, and Amae-Kam Magruder, a sophomore from Anchorage, Alaska, are standouts for the St. Olaf women’s Nordic ski team. They recently represented the United States in the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games in Italy.

Hubanks and Magruder competed in five events as part of the four-member cross country teams for the U.S. It’s believed they are the first females from a Minnesota college to be on American teams in the Winter World University games.

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And How Was Your California Vacation, Mr. Shama?

Posted on January 28, 2025January 28, 2025 by David Shama

Random shots after 19 days of vacation in southern California.

The weather was sunny almost every day, with daytime temps in the 60’s and 70’s in Palm Desert and Del Mar. Yes, I sent sympathies to Minnesotans suffering through windchills of minus 20 and worse.

The devilish cold brought back memories of walking through howling winds on the U campus to attend Gopher basketball games. I never did so much backward walking before or since. Other strategies could have included a scary ski mask and finding a big lug to walk ahead of me and break the wind.

The show inside cozy Williams Arena was more than worth the trek, though. Last century Gopher basketball was often the best entertainment in town with nationally ranked teams, great players, colorful coaches and deafening crowd noise inside historic Williams Arena.

Alas, the show is no more.

The silver lining? Escaping for weeks in January from Minneapolis prompts no second guessing about missing swaths of the Gopher basketball schedule. Yes, I know the 2025 lads have awakened from the ashes (poor start to the season and last place Big Ten finishes two of the last three years) and won three consecutive games. Sorry, but a below .500 conference record and half empty arena won’t make up for lost ground or wake up the ghosts of Williams Arena.

Where have you gone, Kevin McHale and Bobby Jackson? The coaching trio of Bill Musselman, Jim Dutcher and Clem Haskins is no more.

But back to the trip: I’m appreciative of California adventures including safe travel on infamous state Highway 74 across the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountains. The two-lane road with hairpin turns rises from the Coachella valley to over 4,000 feet. In addition to gorgeous views, there are discarded car skeletons in plain sight—presumably vehicles whose drivers encountered disastrous outcomes.

Other than potholes, switchbacks and steep drop-offs driving was a breeze (ha!). BTW, I have a history with the highway including a drive coming down to the valley in deep fog!

My mental acuity on the trip was otherwise most challenged by golf. After years of pulling out my hair and restless nights, I’ve ditched the how-to videos on YouTube and in print. The new mantra is move the body back in the swing, keep the head down and follow through. And: compress your irons, sweep your woods.

Voila. Sign me up for the PGA Tour Champions.

Now if I can just get back on the tennis court. A friend from Edina, also visiting southern California, is of a similar age and is playing five times per week.

My hero!

From two time zones away, it doesn’t seem like a lot has changed on the Minnesota pro sports scene. The Wild still has a promising season and the Twins aren’t making headlines regarding personnel or the franchise sale.

The Timberwolves and Vikings are ongoing soap operas.

The Wolves miss their KAT. Their Ant seems as likely to be fined by the NBA as he is going off for 40.

The Vikings quarterback soap opera is part of the stuff that fuels fan interest and keeps Skol scorching even in the dead of winter.

Coach Kevin O’Connell received his no-brainer contract extension. The love affair between coach and the organization is real. I’ll bet my last bitcoin ownership never brought up during contract discussions that in three seasons KOC has lost the three biggest games he’s coached.

Harry Peter Grant lost four Super Bowls and we adored him.

Various media allowed me to track hometown teams but the most enjoyable reading on the trip came from the Wall Street Journal. WSJ offers the fairest and most accurate newspaper coverage that I know of. In an age of media bias that slips over from the opinion pages to the news columns, the WSJ is a model for professional journalism.

The publication is known for its political and business coverage. The newspaper also provides lifestyle, entertainment and sports reporting and opinion. And the WSJ comes up with stories and angles that both inform and entertain.

Did you know there is a black market for gallstones from cows? A front-page WSJ story last Wednesday was headlined:

“Cow Gallstones Drive A Smuggling Frenzy. Worth twice the price of gold, they are prized in Chinese traditional medicine.”

I’ll never look at cattle the same way again.

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