Tag: O’Connell

Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws downfield against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Vikings QB Carson Wentz to start vs. Steelers next week

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Carson Wentz is the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings for at least another week, head coach Kevin O’Connell said a few minutes after celebrating a 48-10 win Sunday.

Wentz threw two TD passes and completed 14 of his 20 attempts in place of J.J. McCarthy, who is not expected to play in Week 4 when Minnesota (2-1) heads to Ireland to play the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I told him when I took him out of the game, I was the least surprised person in the whole building today that he was able to go out there and effectively run our offense,” O’Connell said Sunday after the 38-point win over the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. “There’s a reason why he came here. He had a lot of opportunities potentially.

“We clearly trusted him to go play football.”

Making a start for a sixth different team in the past six seasons, Wentz threw a TD pass to Josh Ollver to jump ahead 7-0. He was afforded an enormous cushion thanks to four turnovers by the Bengals, two of which were returned for touchdowns by cornerback Isaiah Rodgers.

McCarthy rallied the Vikings to a Week 1 win at Chicago after Minnesota fell behind 17-6. He is dealing with a high ankle sprain suffered in the Week 2 loss and expected to return after 2-4 weeks.

O’Connell said that Wentz told him during the week of preparation at one point, “Coach, the reason why I came here is this system. You guys, the players and you fire away, let’s rock.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) takes the field before the game against Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy likely out Sunday, Carson Wentz would start

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Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is unlikely to play this week due to an ankle sprain, head coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday.

Current backup Carson Wentz is expected to be the starter against Bengals backup Jake Browning, who steps in again for injured starter Joe Burrow. Burrow will undergo surgery to repair a toe injury after leaving Sunday’s win over the Jaguars.

McCarthy sustained the injury on a broken play that ended with a tackle near the sideline. McCarthy missed all of the 2024 season after tearing his meniscus during a preseason game, which required surgery.

Named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after his performance in his first start in Week 1, McCarthy has shown mixed results. He struggled Sunday night against the Falcons, going 11 of 21 with 158 yards and two interceptions. He wasn’t able to lead Minnesota to a touchdown and he was sacked six times.

“We’ve got to do a better job as an offense playing one play at a time and everyone doing their job, all 11 of us,” McCarthy said Sunday night. “We’re going to learn from this, get better and bounce back next week.”

The Vikings will also likely be without running back Aaron Jones (hamstring). Starting center Ryan Kelly and left tackle Justin Skule are still in concussion protocol. Skule started the first two games as the Vikings play it safe with Christian Darrisaw, who is working to return from a season-ending ACL tear in 2024.

–Field Level Media

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) under center against the Las Vegas Raiders in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy to ‘hit the ground running’ in offseason workouts

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After missing his rookie season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is all systems go for offseason workouts this month, according to his coach.

Kevin O’Connell told reporters Monday that McCarthy has no restrictions this spring. He said McCarthy is at an advantage from having learned the Vikings’ systems “in a classroom setting” up to this point.

“That’s the beauty of the year we’ve had with him, albeit without the physical reps since the injury,” O’Connell said. “But there’s been a lot of time on task and just once again want to credit J.J. for how he’s handled these last two, 2 1/2, three months or so where I think he’s ready to hit the ground running as of today.”

Now that McCarthy is healthy and without limitations, the next step is to enter the more competitive environment of OTAs and minicamp, with live reps aplenty.

“All of it is going to kind of be systematically planned out for him,” O’Connell said, “and I think he’s ready to attack it.”

The Vikings moved on from 2024 starting quarterback Sam Darnold, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency after a surprise season in Minnesota.

The only other quarterback besides the 22-year-old McCarthy on the roster is Brett Rypien, and although the Vikings had talks with Aaron Rodgers, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah told reporters in late March that the team is “headed toward” dubbing McCarthy QB1.

That doesn’t mean Minnesota won’t add at least one more quarterback this offseason.

“We’ve been patient and really evaluated a lot of different ways we could potentially do that,” O’Connell said. “There’s potential trades and free agency and still the draft. We’re going through a process of just figuring out who is the player that we want to solidify that room with knowing that J.J. and Brett are here working, starting today, and eventually we’ll complete that room and still have a competitive situation in there, however you look at it.”

The Vikings drafted McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 draft after he won a national championship at Michigan. He underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in mid-August after paying in the Vikings’ preseason opener.

–Field Level Media

Jun 18, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings first round draft pick J.J. McCarthy throws out the ceremonial first pitch in a game between the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Vikings HC: QB1 role not yet earned; vetting Aaron Rodgers was no-brainer

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When the 2025 regular season begins, the Minnesota Vikings envision J.J. McCarthy as their QB1.

But as head coach Kevin O’Connell said at the NFL’s annual spring meeting on Monday in West Palm Beach, Fla., that prominent distinction has yet to be earned.

“I feel really, really positive about the path we’re going to take with J.J. from a development standpoint, from an acceleration of reps,” O’Connell said. “And he’s going to benefit from an offseason worth of reps from the offseason program to obviously training camp and being in a competitive situation when our quarterback room is all finalized.”

Even as the Vikings entertained signing free agent Aaron Rodgers, O’Connell was in touch with McCarthy in “borderline real time” to apprise him of any developments. Rodgers, who remains unsigned, has maintained contact with O’Connell since their playing days and made the initial contact with Minnesota after he was released by the New York Jets.

O’Connell said the Vikings have high expectations for McCarthy but decided, as a franchise, they didn’t want to resist vetting Rodgers as an option to safeguard McCarthy.

“… Aaron Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP and somebody who, not just myself, but we’ve all had so much respect for competing against him,” O’Connell explained. “And he happened to be at a point in time in his career where he was free to have some real dialogue about what his future may look like. And we happened to be one of those teams that he reached out to.”

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made it clear the preferred outcome of the offseason shuffling at the quarterback position would be McCarthy stepping into the starting role. He was essentially a professional redshirt in 2024 after being drafted 10th overall because of a post-draft knee surgery, and Sam Darnold went 14-3 to put the Vikings in the NFC playoffs as a wild card.

McCarthy took mostly “visual reps” but was in quarterback meetings and game-planning sessions to become intricately familiar with O’Connell’s communication style, expectations and vast offensive playbook.

“I think it’s a responsibility for me as the playcaller to make sure I’m building rapport in addition to demanding a standard of the position from a very early time here with J.J. that I think he’s going to meet, and challenge himself to meet, on a daily basis,” O’Connell said. “Very much excited to see him do that.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) is carted off the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell, DE Maxx Crosby miss practice

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell missed practice Thursday as he recovers from a bone bruise in his left knee.

O’Connell was injured during a 28-13 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. He was carted off the field but avoided a serious injury. He’s hoping to be able to start against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night.

“Obviously, we’ve got a longer week this week, which helps, and so just really taking it day by day,” O’Connell, 26, said Thursday. “Obviously, not something I’ve been through with this particular injury.”

O’Connell has passed for 899 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions in six games (four starts) this season. He missed four games earlier this season after breaking his right (throwing) thumb in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams.

Las Vegas star defensive end Maxx Crosby also missed Thursday’s session as he deals with an ankle injury.

Crosby has 7.5 sacks in 12 games this season while seeing his production slip. The three-time Pro Bowl selection had a career-best 14.5 sacks last season to mark his third time in double digits since entering the league in 2019 when the franchise was in Oakland.

Defensive tackle Adam Butler (concussion) and cornerback Sam Webb (back) also missed practice for the Raiders.

–Field Level Media

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder (10) throws a pass in the third quarter of the NFL Week 9 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Las Vegas Raiders at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. The Bengals collected their first win at home with a 41-24 victory over the Raiders.

Raiders (2-11) hand QB1 to Desmond Ridder with Falcons up next

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Another week, another loss and a new starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Desmond Ridder becomes the QB1 for the Raiders (2-11) in Week 15 as Las Vegas prepares to host his former team, the Atlanta Falcons (6-7), next Monday night.

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Monday an official diagnosis of Aidan O’Connell’s injured knee was expected later in the day.

“Desmond Ridder will be the starter for now,” Pierce said.

O’Connell is expected to miss the rest of the season and Pierce said the injury “doesn’t look good.”

He was carted to the locker room with an air cast on his left leg after being pushed from behind by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey in the third quarter on Sunday. The Raiders soon ruled O’Connell out for the rest of the game with a knee injury.

The Raiders have lost nine consecutive games and failed to score 20 points in each of the past four defeats.

O’Connell began the season as a backup but became the starter after Gardner Minshew suffered a broken collarbone on Nov. 24.

O’Connell was fleeing pressure toward the right sideline with 1:23 left in the quarter when Kancey shoved him from behind after the play. No penalty was called.

O’Connell, who was 11-for-19 for 104 yards and an interception, was replaced by Ridder.

The 26-year-old O’Connell finished the day with a 63.2 completion percentage for 899 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions over six games (four starts) in his second NFL campaign.

–Field Level Media

Dec 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) throws the ball during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell (knee) carted off

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell was carted to the locker room with an air cast on his left leg after being pushed from behind by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey in the third quarter on Sunday.

The Raiders soon ruled O’Connell out for the rest of the game with a knee injury.

O’Connell was fleeing pressure toward the right sideline with 1:23 left in the quarter when Kancey shoved him from behind after the play. No penalty was called.

O’Connell began the season as a backup but became the starter after Gardner Minshew suffered a broken collarbone on Nov. 24.

O’Connell, who was 11-for-19 for 104 yards and an interception, was replaced by Desmond Ridder.

The 26-year-old entered the day with a 64.1 completion percentage for 795 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions over his first five games (three starts) of his second NFL campaign.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) warms up before a game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Raiders activate Aidan O’Connell, place Gardner Minshew on IR

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The Las Vegas Raiders activated Aidan O’Connell from injured reserve Thursday and placed fellow quarterback Gardner Minshew and cornerback Jakorian Bennett on IR.

The Raiders also signed wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. and activated running back Sincere McCormick and cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly.

O’Connell had been sidelined since injuring his thumb in Las Vegas’ 20-15 setback to the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 20. He will start for the Raiders (2-9) on Friday when they face Patrick Mahomes and the host Kansas City Chiefs (10-1).

The Raiders lost starter Minshew for the season to a broken collarbone in the team’s 29-19 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

O’Connell, 26, returned to practice on Monday and received first-team reps. He has completed 52 of 82 passes for 455 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in four games (two starts) this season.

He threw for 2,218 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games (10 starts) as a rookie last season. He was selected by Las Vegas in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Bennett, 24, has 26 tackles in 10 games (seven starts) this season.

Marshall, 24, has played in one game with Las Vegas this season. He has 64 catches for 767 yards and one touchdown in 37 games (16 starts) with the Carolina Panthers.

McCormick, 24, has rushed five times for 33 yards in two games this season.

Kelly, 23, has five tackles in nine career games with four teams.

–Field Level Media

Sep 22, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) throws the ball against the Carolina Panthers in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reports: Gardner Minshew to remain Raiders’ QB1

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The Las Vegas Raiders will not replace starting quarterback Gardner Minshew with Aidan O’Connell, NFL Network reported.

ESPN reported Tuesday that “nothing was ever pondered” regarding a possible QB change for Sunday’s home game against the Cleveland Browns.

Raiders coach Antonio Pierce on Monday wouldn’t commit to Minshew remaining the starter in the wake of Sunday’s 36-22 home loss to the Carolina Panthers.

“I don’t think it was the team. I think there was definitely some individuals that made business decisions,” Pierce said Monday, “and we’ll make business decisions going forward as well.”

Minshew completed 18 of 28 passes for 214 yards, one touchdown and one interception before O’Connell took over. O’Connell, who started 10 games for the Raiders last season, went 9-of-12 passing for 82 yards and a TD. He led the team on a 13-play, 70-yard scoring drive.

In the first year of a two-year contract with $15 million guaranteed, Minshew has completed 73.7 percent of his passes for 747 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions for the 1-2 Raiders.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce walks the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Raiders’ Pierce stands by ‘business decision’ comment; QB change possible

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On Monday, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce did not back away from comments he made about certain unnamed members of his team following Sunday’s 36-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Upset with the Raiders’ showing against the previously winless Panthers, Pierce was asked how concerned he was about his team’s effort in a game Las Vegas trailed by as many as 26 points.

“I don’t think it was the team. I think there was definitely some individuals that made business decisions,” Pierce said, “and we’ll make business decisions going forward as well.”

Come Monday’s day-after press conference, Pierce was asked about that particular remark and doubled down, saying, “I don’t bite my tongue.”

It tracked for the straight-talking 45-year-old, a former NFL linebacker selected to the 2006 Pro Bowl. Players gave Pierce a ringing endorsement for the Raiders’ head-coaching position after he guided them to a 5-4 finish as the interim coach following the midseason firing of Josh McDaniels in 2023.

Pierce told reporters he would address the team later on Monday and be “very direct.”

“Because it is what it is,” Pierce said, “and that’s what we’re gonna do, call a spade a spade.”

So far, the Raiders’ “business decisions” have not included a change at QB1.

Pierce didn’t rule out benching Gardner Minshew for Aidan O’Connell, merely saying he had to “get with the players and evaluate everything from (Sunday) first.”

Minshew completed 18 of 28 passes for 214 yards, one touchdown and one interception before O’Connell took over. O’Connell, who started 10 games for the Raiders last season, went 9-of-12 passing for 82 yards and a touchdown.

The Raiders’ issues appeared to be far deeper than the signal-caller. The offense gained just 55 rushing yards on 16 attempts, and the defense was gashed by Andy Dalton in his first start for the Panthers following Bryce Young’s benching.

“The effort wasn’t up to par as it had been in the previous games, and that showed up,” Pierce said. “That didn’t look good at the end of the game.”

–Field Level Media