Kevin O'Connell would be wise to relinquish play-calling duties -- at least in the short term
The Vikings coach has held the role since taking over in 2022, but what he wants to do on offense and what J.J. McCarthy can do seem to be at odds.
Kevin O’Connell has called plays for the Vikings’ offense for 62 games since taking over as head coach in 2022. He has had plenty of success in that time, primarily with Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold at quarterback. Both were veterans who had an understanding of what O’Connell wanted and how to execute it.
O’Connell, however, seems unwilling to adjust his play calling to what would best suit J.J. McCarthy. O’Connell would disagree with that opinion, and feel even stronger about this one: O’Connell should turn over play calling to an assistant.
The most likely candidate would be offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, but the smarter move would be to have quarterbacks coach Josh McCown assume the duties.
Why McCown and not Phillips?
Both are short on play-calling experience, but McCown has worked as closely with McCarthy as anyone on the Vikings’ staff. McCown also spent 16 seasons as an NFL quarterback, playing in 102 games and making 76 starts. He served as a mentor for various quarterbacks late in his playing career, including Darnold. Play calling is almost certainly in McCown’s future, and giving him the assignment now would make a lot of sense.
This isn’t to say O’Connell should never call plays again. But after watching McCarthy complete 20 of 42 passes for 248 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in the Vikings’ 27-19 loss to Baltimore on Sunday, it’s become clear O’Connell is more focused on having McCarthy adjust to what he wants as opposed to what McCarthy does well.
That is never a formula that works well.
There will come a day when McCarthy is capable of operating the offense like O’Connell wants — meaning passing a lot — but the 22-year-old isn’t there in his first season as a starter. McCarthy needs the Vikings to rely on the run more often — Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason had a combined 13 carries Sunday — and he needs to be allowed to consistently incorporate more short to intermediate passes than O’Connell seems to want.
In O’Connell’s mind he’s doing what’s best in terms of getting the Vikings’ win, but his thought process is misguided. Never was this more evident than on the Vikings’ opening drive of the third quarter on Sunday.