EAGAN, Minn. — They tend to save the best drill for last. It’s not that the second-and-long sequences don’t matter, and it’s not like Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell isn’t glued to practice during the other periods. But a two-minute drill? In a joint practice setting against the New England Patriots? Informative.
J.J. McCarthy connected with tight end T.J. Hockenson over the middle. Then he dumped off a screen to running back Aaron Jones. A few negative plays placed the Vikings offense in a third-and-long situation. McCarthy evaded the pass rush and escaped through the pocket, galloping up the right sideline for a scramble.
The money play was next — the one that the offensive coaches are likely to celebrate behind the scenes. It was fourth down, and McCarthy, facing pressure from the middle, ripped an in-breaker to receiver Jordan Addison to convert the first.
Addison noted the throw after practice, and right tackle Brian O’Neill highlighted the two-minute success as well.
“I thought it went pretty well today,” O’Neill said, speaking about the offense writ large. “I thought we hit some really good stuff.”
Hockenson’s review? Similar.
“We were able to move the ball there pretty much the whole practice,” he said.
McCarthy wasn’t spotless. He sailed a pass intended for receiver Jalen Nailor during an early seven-on-seven situation; the throw was intercepted. Once, Hockenson snatched a pass that McCarthy would have admitted wasn’t accurate enough. On another snap, two Patriots linebackers walked up to the line of scrimmage; McCarthy changed the play but was eventually engulfed in the pocket by what felt like a tidal wave. Another time, McCarthy hurled a deep ball toward Nailor into double coverage. The pass fell short.
O’Connell described McCarthy’s snaps in Saturday’s preseason game as a checkpoint. Though the head coach views joint practices as the most important evaluation points of training camp, he discussed Wednesday as “Checkpoint 2.” He sought improvement. He also knew there would be opportunities for learning moments.
“Those led us to where we are right now,” O’Connell said, “which is feeling really good about where he’s at.”
Pre-snap procedure isn’t a sexy subject, but O’Connell sees it as the starting point to a professional operation. O’Neill complimented the way McCarthy effectively mixed up cadences Wednesday. O’Neill also said that McCarthy stepped into the huddle with energy in instances where the Vikings had struggled to find footing on the previous plays.
“He just felt totally in control out there to me,” O’Neill said. “There’s not some magic lightbulb or phrase other than. He was in control. I felt like he was running the show.”
McCarthy seemed dialed in early. He found Addison on a comeback route in one of the first seven-on-seven snaps and came back to Addison on an intermediate throw two plays later. Maybe the most encouraging sign was his quick trigger. There were a few would-be sacks, but McCarthy rarely held the ball. Seeing the field does not seem to be an issue.
Thursday’s practice, featuring extensive red zone work, will offer more hints at McCarthy’s status. The space shrinks. Convicted decision-making is paramount. Then the two teams will end with another two-minute drill, offering O’Connell yet another snapshot of what this Vikings offense might be capable of.
The Vikings traded for Jordan Mason to help improve their run game, which Minnesota views as a key component in 2025. (Bruce Kluckhohn / Associated Press)
Run game evaluation
The Vikings view the run game as a key ingredient to what they want to accomplish in 2025. It’s a major reason why they revamped the interior of the offensive line. It’s why they traded for running back Jordan Mason. Minnesota does not see it as a way to keep McCarthy under wraps, but to allow him to develop optimally.
O’Connell’s commitment to the phase has been evident in training camp. The Vikings have handed the ball off consistently, and there have been holes. It was tougher sledding on Wednesday. Mason and Jones didn’t have much room to work, though it’s worth noting that elite left tackle Christian Darrisaw is still not a full participant.
Evaluating the run is also a challenge without live tackling. Mentioning this is more an acknowledgement of how massive it is going to be for the Vikings to control the ball on the ground.
It is worth saying that the screen game looks crisper than it has in past years. This is likely a reflection of a more adaptive interior, as well as a focus from the staff. The Vikings executed a 15-yard screen during the two-minute period, with McCarthy finding Jones. Earlier, rookie first-round pick Donovan Jackson beelined up the field ahead of Jones, seeing only green grass.
“He gave me the go call,” Jackson said. “I took off running, but I’m like, ‘I don’t know who I’m running to.’”
He spotted Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins and mowed him over like a tractor. He then identified Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers, who was pushed to the ground, too. Jackson’s Vikings teammates erupted. O’Neill, who didn’t see the play in real time, noted that offensive line coach Chris Kuper said, “Wait until you see Donnie’s hit on that play.”
O’Neill asked: “It was cool?”
[Nodding.]
“Hell yeah.”
“It’s kind of a mentality,” Jackson said afterwards. “I’m 300 pounds.”
Best of the rest
• O’Connell confirmed Wednesday that the punt returner position is wide open, especially in the aftermath of Rondale Moore’s season-ending knee injury.
“We’ve got some talented guys,” O’Connell said, “maybe without the experience level that you would always want. But at the same time, they have upside and ability, so it should be a really good competition.”
Undrafted rookies Silas Bolden and Myles Price excelled as returners in college. Another receiver vying for a 53-man role, Lucky Jackson, has fielded punts. It is not out of the question that the Vikings add another receiver for depth. If that player has punt-return experience, even better.
• Backup quarterback Sam Howell began his own two-minute drill with a couple of short completions. Receiver Jeshaun Jones caught the first pass on the left sideline, and tight end Bryson Nesbit snagged a ball on the right.
Then the second unit stalled. Howell missed three straight passes to receiver Tai Felton, Nesbit and Felton again. He was then sacked on fourth down.
Overall, he appears far more comfortable with the offense than he did in the first couple of weeks. The lack of protection is a factor, too.
• Undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer built on his impressive preseason debut. On Wednesday, facing a blitz-all defensive picture from the Patriots, he lobbed a deep ball down the left sideline to receiver Tim Jones.
Brosmer sounds like a longtime professional. He discussed Wednesday how much he’s learned from O’Connell, quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and the rest of the staff in a short stint. Replicate his production Saturday or even next week, and he’ll further cement a job on the 53.
(Top photo: Abbie Parr / Associated Press)
