Vikings simplify offense, meaning QB J.J. McCarthy’s job is ‘purely about decisionmaking’

To steer the Vikings out of what coach Kevin O’Connell called “troubling times” for his 4-8 team, he said the coaching staff will look at simplifying everything from Sunday’s game plan against the Washington Commanders to quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s focus.

McCarthy, who missed last week’s loss in Seattle, got back under center during Wednesday’s practice. He took first-team reps with the expectation he would be cleared from the concussion protocol afterward. He is scheduled to talk with reporters on Thursday ahead of his expected seventh start on Sunday against Washington.

This week, O’Connell said he wants McCarthy less focused on refining footwork and his leg-whip throwing motion and more on making the right decisions.

“It’s purely about decisionmaking at this point,” O’Connell said. “I want him to have a clear head and a clear mind to just go play, but play with an understanding of the decisions that I make ... have to be of the utmost importance, because we learned our turnover number is where it is. It’s not a winning formula.

“I don’t want him overthinking or worrying about if the fundamentals need to be changed. Let’s just make the throws. Let’s just throw and catch. Let’s just play with great rhythm and understanding of the plan.”

The stats summarizing this Vikings offense — 4.9 yards per play (27th), 18.7 points per game (28th) — get worse when drilling down to the main culprit: quarterback play. They rank 29th in the NFL, averaging 173.2 passing yards. They rank 30th in taking sacks, on 10.5% of drop backs.

No team has thrown more picks — by a wide margin. The Vikings’ 19 interceptions are five more than the next closest teams (Raiders, Dolphins: 14). That includes four interceptions by undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer in Seattle.

Simplification “can be a lot of different things,” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said, such as familiar play concepts across personnel groupings or more consistent formations within, for instance, three-receiver or two-tight end sets.

“Where guys have no confusion whatsoever where to line up,” Phillips said.

Running back Aaron Jones Sr. said, “It’s not just vanilla.”

“But where it gets complex,” he added, “where everybody may not have the same deeper understanding of each play concept is where we’ve kind of ... I guess, in a way, dumbed it down.”

The aim, O’Connell said, is to get better play from not just McCarthy, but also an inconsistent run game.

“Having efficient runs on first downs is always going to help,” right tackle Brian O’Neill said. “If we had six runs before halftime and only [three] of them went for a yard, it’s hard to validate calling more. It’s on us to make them go even if we’re running into different movement or pressures.”

McCarthy also needs to make better decisions outside of the pocket.

His athleticism has been a much-needed positive. He has run for six first downs and two touchdowns on 17 carries. But he has been injured twice — the high-ankle sprain against the Falcons on Sept. 14 and concussion against the Packers on Nov. 23 — when he took hits while scrambling.

While O’Connell said the Vikings aren’t sure when McCarthy suffered the concussion in Green Bay, the coach has talked to his quarterback about sliding.

“It’s part of the learning process,” O’Connell said, “especially with the guys that are so competitive and have played with a certain style and made a play to win a national championship by doing so, whatever it is.”

O’Connell said the team’s 4-8 record — its worst through 12 games since 2013 — is “no question” the toughest test his leadership and team culture have faced in four seasons at the helm.

“You prove kind of what you’re all about in these moments,” O’Connell said. “I’m very fortunate that I can trust in our guys, our coaches, and what’s been built here to —it’s not a matter of staying the course, it’s a matter of improvement and altering the course.”