As J.J. McCarthy nears return, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell takes himself to task for offense’s woes

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy is expected to retake the reins of a struggling Vikings offense this week as he’s close to clearing the concussion protocol, coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday.

McCarthy is “symptom free,” O’Connell said, and will be a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. If McCarthy remains symptom free after a full practice and is cleared by the team’s medical staff and an independent neurological consultant, he will return as the starter this coming Sunday against the Washington Commanders.

McCarthy did not play in Sunday’s 26-0 loss in Seattle after reporting concussion symptoms following the Nov. 23 loss at Green Bay.

The Vikings offense sank to a new low during rookie quarterback Max Brosmer’s first NFL start against the Seahawks. The franchise’s first shutout loss since 2007 left O’Connell looking inward and pondering further systemic changes.

“We all can be better,” O’Connell said. “I’m going to personally look at myself and continue to find a way to coach the details of the plays that are called, and what type of plays we’re going to call and how many plays we’re going to take into games. If we’ve got to limit our inventory and just demand execution, we’ll do it more than we already have, which has been part of the process over these last few weeks.”

Coaches have already toned down gameplans to help McCarthy and Brosmer, ranging from easier cadences at the line of scrimmage to fewer formations and personnel groupings.

They are considering further simplification to get everyone playing better. The Vikings didn’t run for a first down until the fourth quarter at Seattle.

Brosmer, an undrafted rookie, had shown the ability to “function in our offense” during practices and the preseason, O’Connell said, so he was asked to check into plays at the line and progress through full-field reads.

While O’Connell commended Brosmer for checking into the right play against a Seahawks blitz early in Sunday’s loss, the rookie sped through his progression and threw a hurried deep ball over receiver Jordan Addison.

O’Connell said he believes a simpler approach could “lead to a little bit more rhythm and timing to our pass game.”

A broader necessary change than the individual play calls is O’Connell, the reigning NFL Coach of the Year, having visions for attacking defensive coverages.

The Vikings ranked second in both the 2023 and ’24 seasons in throws gaining at least 20 yards. Seemingly no longer capable of reaching that explosive standard, O’Connell said his in-game decision making needs to reflect that understanding with the type of passes he’s calling.

Tight end Josh Oliver was supposed to block Seahawks edge rusher Demarcus Lawrence on the fourth-and-1 play near the goal line that led to Ernest Jones IV’s 85-yard interception return for touchdown, said O’Connell, but he pointed the finger at himself for the play call. Nobody blocked Lawrence and he nearly sacked Brosmer, who hastily tossed an underhanded pick instead of taking the sack.

“Ultimately, I didn’t like the play call,” O’Connell said. “It’s totally on me in that moment. ... We better have a schematically more sound play and that’s totally on me. It’s not on Josh, it’s not on Max ... It was on me and it was a massive play in the game.”

Guard Blake Brandel is in the concussion protocol after reporting symptoms after the Seahawks game. Brandel played all 52 snaps while replacing left guard Donovan Jackson, who is “improving,” O’Connell said, from the ankle injury suffered at Green Bay.

“He did show up today symptom-free,” O’Connell said of Brandel. “We’ll see how he progresses throughout the week.”

O’Connell categorized the injury report as “good news” on center Ryan Kelly (hip) and running back Aaron Jones Sr. (shoulder), who sound like they will both have a chance to play against the Commanders. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw (foot/knee) will go through a typical practice week with the hope he will play, O’Connell said, after sitting out Sunday’s loss.

Turner had two strip sacks (one recovered by the Vikings) on Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, making that four sacks for Turner over the past three games.

“I’m so happy for Dallas,” outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel said, “[with] just kind of what he’s been through. He’s a guy that comes in and works hard. He puts in the time and energy. ... To see him be productive these past few weeks, it’s just a small glimpse of who he is.”