The Minnesota Vikings have been piecing things together at quarterback for much of the 2025 campaign, and in Week 9, they will be making another change, as head coach Kevin O’Connell has turned the starting job back over to J.J. McCarthy now that Carson Wentz is set to undergo season-ending surgery to repair a shoulder injury he’s been dealing with.
McCarthy initially began the season as the Vikings’ starting quarterback before he suffered an ankle injury in Week 2. With McCarthy struggling during his first stint in the NFL, the Vikings weren’t exactly in a rush to turn to him over Wentz, but now, they have no choice but to do so. And ahead of McCarthy’s return to action, O’Connell made it clear just how he feels about his team’s quarterback situation.
Kevin O’Connell Excited for J.J. McCarthy’s Return to Action
Minnesota’s handling of its quarterback situation has become a talking point across the league. In free agency over the offseason, the Vikings let both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones walk, and in 2025, they have been two of the top quarterbacks in the league. McCarthy, in turn, has essentially one good quarter of action under his belt so far this season.
With Wentz playing better than McCarthy did in his first two games, O’Connell and the coaching staff really had no reason to rush the second-year passer into action. Now that Wentz’s shoulder injury has become an issue that has to be addressed, the Vikings will be starting McCarthy, regardless of whether or not they want to.
How McCarthy fares under center will ultimately determine just how successful Minnesota ends up being throughout the rest of the season. While it may seem like O’Connell is upset over the fact that the team doesn’t have Darnold or Jones at their disposal, he opted to focus on his excitement for McCarthy’s return in Week 9.
“I’m excited to just get him back on the field,” O’Connell said to Tom Pelissero on “NFL GameDay.” “He had a really good week of practice. This whole time through the rehab process has been kind of a continued growth time for him. I think his teammates are really excited to get him back on the field, get him back in that huddle. He’s just got a heck of an opportunity today.”
J.J. McCarthy, Vikings Face Tall Task in Week 9 vs. the Lions
GettyQuarterback J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings.
McCarthy looked overwhelmed in his first two NFL games, and the Vikings are hoping that will change now that he’s back under center. Minnesota’s offense is stocked full of top-tier playmakers on offense; it’s just a matter of getting them the football. That’s why McCarthy is so important to this operation.
In Week 9, Minnesota draws a tough matchup against the Detroit Lions, and they will be sure to make McCarthy’s life as difficult as possible in this one. With the Lions featuring one of the most devastating offensive attacks in the league, the Vikings are likely going to have to go score for score with them in this one. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon, and all eyes will be on McCarthy to see how he fares in the third start of his young career.
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