When the Starting Pistol Sounds for the Vikings’ QB Competition
Kevin O’Connell likes to explain away the significance of the spring and early summer. Minnesota’s skipper insists that it’s class on the grass, a time to teach rather than to compete.
Respectfully, he’s wrong.
The starting pistol will go off on the Vikings’ QB competition in May (at least as it relates to the on-field portion). What occurs in the spring won’t be the most important evidence, but it will be evidence nevertheless. The coaching staff will be monitoring the effort from newcomer Kyler Murray and third-year passer J.J. McCarthy to determine who has an early edge. A recent update offers the precise details for when these practices will be taking place.
The Vikings’ QB Competition: May & June
If the interest is strictly Minnesota Vikings, then Kevin Seifert shares the update. If the interest is the NFL more broadly, then Ian Rapoport has things covered. Check out the purple portion of things:
- First Day of Offseason Program: April 20th
- OTAs: May 26-27
- OTAs: May 29
- OTAs: June 1-2
- OTAs: June 4
- OTAs: June 15-18
- Mandatory Minicamp: 9-11
Now, some added clarity to what was said above. Coach O’Connell is certainly correct to insist that the emphasis is on learning. Mastering the scheme, building chemistry with teammates, and refining technique. All of those things take precedence over positioning on the depth chart.
Still, there’s going to be an eye toward who is performing well. What is a coach if not a teacher and then an evaluator?
Envision a scenario where Minnesota is working in a 7-on-7 period. There’s no pass rush. Rather, the emphasis is on cadence, progressions (feet & eyes is the saying), receivers running the correct routes, and so on.
McCarthy steps up first. His task is to look deep toward Justin Jefferson as the first option. He’s covered, so McCarthy needs to work his progression toward Jordan Addison. Seeing that the WR2 is similarly covered, McCarthy puts the ball precisely where it needs to be so that Aaron Jones — the third read in the progression — can chew up yards after the catch. Nice rep.
Next up is Murray. His task is to follow the same pattern, working from Jefferson down to Addison before firing the ball at Jones. Unlike McCarthy, Murray throws the ball at the shoestrings of the third read, leading to Jones stumbling even though there’s no defender there to tackle him.
Who had the better rep? Did the coaching staff notice?
Obviously, a May practice will never be as important as an August practice. Neither of those practices will be as important as the games that take place from September onward.
The point, folks, is simply to note that the Vikings’ QB competition is going to move onto the field very soon. OTAs and mini camp will represent the next step, functioning as the merge lane for the highway that is training camp. And while the merge lane is less frisky than a four-lane highway, there’s still some driving that’s taking place.
Keep the above dates in mind. Kyler Murray is the favorite to win the job but J.J. McCarthy is a talented worker. To secure the starting spot, McCarthy needs to be taking two or three steps forward for every step that Murray takes forward. Do that enough times and things will be close by the time August gives way to September.
We’ll see who has an early advantage in May and June.
