Kevin O’Connell Distills the Quarterback Debate Down to a Single Word

Last year, the plan involved building a Vikings roster so formidable that J.J. McCarthy didn’t need to be Superman. In fact, there was even some chatter about merely wanting a game manager.

Minnesota is pivoting toward a new strategy.

Whoever is going to start in 2026 needs to be an “elevator.” Such is the desire from head coach Kevin O’Connell. The skipper appeared alongside GM Nolan Teasley — fresh off a slobberknocker of a deal for Brian O’Neill — to chat about what’s coming in training camp. Coach O’Connell wants a passer who is going to make his teammates better rather than insisting on the teammates making the quarterback better.

Kevin O’Connell Wants an “Elevator” at QB

Conveniently, the Vikings’ social media crew cut up the presser in a way that makes things pretty neat and tidy. Look at what the coach had to say:

In a lot of ways, Kevin O’Connell is asking for something that’s pretty simple. After all, he distills the job of an “elevator” down to being somebody who can feel comfortable in the scheme (albeit an evolving, dynamic scheme). There’s a need to distribute the ball, doing so in a manner that’s similar to a point guard in basketball. Keep things simple by getting the ball to the playmakers to do damage, as Kirk Cousins used to say.

O’Connell has for years discussed the need to complete passes. Sounds basic, of course, and yet there’s a reason why he goes to such great lengths to emphasize that point. Yet again, he is doing so by explaining that he wants his starter to easily complete passes.

Putting things in baseball terms would mean saying that the starting pitcher can throw the ball for strikes. O’Connell’s focus isn’t on whether the pitcher prefers a 4-seam fastball over a 2-seam fastball. Nor is O’Connell asking for a great curve ball, slider, or changeup, at least not in this particular response. Instead, he wants somebody who can locate his pitch.

Last year, that basic ability was lacking.

J.J. McCarthy was often put in a position to fail. Still, the kid wasn’t close to good enough. His debut season as a starter — just ten games due to three separate injuries — involved completing a stunningly poor 57.6% of his passes. Do note, though, that NFL Next Gen Stats insists that his expected completion percentage was a healthier 61.8%.

Presently, Kyler Murray is almost certainly a better quarterback than McCarthy. A key caveat is that we’re considering real human beings; they’re dynamic, meaning they’ll be getting better or worse in the coming weeks. Who proves better when it’s time to make a call on who is going to start in Week 1?

Of note within Kevin O’Connell’s response is that he is understanding the issue in a contextual manner. He wants the best passer for within his scheme.

In other words, the accuracy and completed passes that O’Connell covets isn’t going to be measured in some form of bizarre, Pro Bowl style throwing contest. Rather, the successful combatant in this quarterback battle needs to be the point guard in O’Connell’s scheme.

O’Connell is going into his fifth season as the Vikings’ head coach. Good chance, folks, that he hasn’t made a decision that’s weightier than the decision he needs to make in the coming weeks for who will begin the 2026 season as the starting quarterback.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.