Despite being eliminated by the Los Angeles Rams, the Minnesota Vikings had a strong NFL season, battling through injury setbacks. Speculation about head coach Kevin O'Connell's future arose, but he addressed the rumors decisively.

Last summer, Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell gave J.J. McCarthy a ringing endorsement as the team's quarterback of the future. "Everyone should be excited that we got our young franchise quarterback in the building,” O’Connell said in August after McCarthy underwent season-ending knee surgery.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed Thursday rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy has resumed on-field training. McCarthy missed the

“I’m very excited about where J.J. is at,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said in an end-of-season press conference. “He’s returned to on-field training. He’s returned to being right where we hoped he’d be at this point to have the type of offseason to be able to answer that question (about whether or not he can start beginning in 2025).”

Sam Darnold was supposed to be a one-year bridge to J.J. McCarthy, who would have had a chance to earn the starting job during the season. But then McCarthy hurt his knee, Minnesota sidelined him for his rookie campaign and Darnold went on to throw for more than 4,300 yards and 35 touchdowns.

The end of the Minnesota Vikings' season led to some big questions in the offseason. Among them, is Sam Darnold part of the Vikings' plans? Where does 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy fit into them?

Should the Vikings pay Darnold after his (mostly) excellent season? Or should they go with McCarthy and spend that money at other positions?

The Minnesota Vikings brain trust of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell have the biggest choice an NFL team grapples with when building out the roster: what should they do with their starting quarterback position?

After a promising start, Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy’s future with the team is now in jeopardy, with coach Kevin O'Connell signaling that the quarterback position is still up for debate in the offseason.

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy's physical readiness for the 2025 season will sway their decision on Sam Darnold; he took a step forward this week.

The quarterback position was central to the conversation at the end of season press conferences that the Vikings held on Thursday.