Kevin O'Connell needs to put the ball in Jordan Mason's hands more often
Dealing with a quarterback who is a work in progress, the Vikings coach should make Mason his starting running back and allow him to carry more of the load.
There is no sugarcoating the fact that J.J. McCarthy’s debut at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday was a dud. McCarthy spent much of the night looking overwhelmed in a 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons that started with great expectations and deafening noise from the nearly 67,000 in attendance. McCarthy completed only 11 of 21 passes for 158 yards with two interceptions. He was sacked six times.
But there is someone else who must shoulder a large portion of the blame for why the Vikings have struggled offensively in seven of the eight quarters they’ve played this season.
That would be Kevin O’Connell.
Less than a week after being lauded for his play calling in a comeback victory over the Bears, the Vikings coach had no answers when it came to finding a way to get his offense on track. It’s only two games into the season, but the lack of execution by the offense is concerning.
Much of that is on the players, especially McCarthy, but it starts with O’Connell. His success with quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold has earned him the reputation for being a quarterback whisperer since taking over the Vikings in 2022. He is a respected play caller who has been praised for his creativity and ability to keep defenses guessing.
When it’s working it’s fun to watch, but when it’s not you get the type of performance the Vikings put on Sunday night in front of a national audience.
The Vikings spent the offseason redoing the interior of their offensive line and acquired running back Jordan Mason because O’Connell realized he needed to be more dedicated to establishing the run. The additions of guards Will Fries and Donovan Jackson and center Ryan Kelly, who suffered a concussion on Sunday, were supposed to combine with Mason to do that.
Only it had yet to happen on a consistent basis with McCarthy under center. We will see if the plan changes with backup Carson Wentz set to replace McCarthy, who reportedly will miss two to four weeks because of a high ankle sprain. Wentz will start on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
In the Vikings’ opener in Chicago, Mason had only 14 yards on four rushing attempts in the first half. Trailing 17-6 entering the fourth quarter, O’Connell began incorporating Mason into the mix. He had runs of 7 and 18 yards on the Vikings’ first touchdown drive of the game, and finished with 54 yards on 11 carries in a 27-24 victory.
It felt safe to assume Mason would start against the Falcons and play a much bigger role. But veteran Aaron Jones again got the start, and Mason didn’t get a carry until the third series. Mason rushed for 30 yards on nine carries; Jones, who left the game because of a hamstring injury, had 23 yards on five attempts.
It wasn’t just the lack of carries for Mason but also when they didn’t come.
On the Vikings’ first possession, they faced a fourth-and-1 at their own 36 yards line. Instead of bringing in the 5-11, 230 pound Mason and having him run behind the interior line, O’Connell opted to have McCarthy attempt a sneak. McCarthy, who was charged with three fumbles in the game, mishandled Kelly’s snap and didn’t get the first down.
Considering how common it is for teams to use a quarterback sneak in that situation, let’s give O’Connell the benefit of the doubt. But explain this one: The Vikings trailed 6-0 in the second quarter when McCarthy found Jalen Nailor for a 17-yard gain that put the ball at the Falcons 2-yard line.