Kevin O’Connell Takes Blame for Vikings’ Loss to Chargers in JJ McCarthy’s Absence

The Minnesota Vikings haven't won a Thursday night road game since 1978.

Kevin O’Connell Takes Blame for Vikings’ Loss to Chargers in JJ McCarthy’s Absence

Kevin O'Connell (Image via IMAGO)

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One month removed from JJ McCarthy suffering an ankle injury, there was still no clear indication of when he would finally start games for the Minnesota Vikings. Kevin O’Connell kept the information confidential, even from McCarthy.

McCarthy made the team, but he was designated as QB3 behind veteran Carson Wentz and rookie Max Brosmer for the week 8 game against the Los Angeles Chargers. This decision made little sense. Wentz carried a shoulder injury and threw 2 interceptions in the Eagles’ game last Sunday. Starting a less than 100% 32-year-old in a midweek game made very little sense.

More importantly, if McCarthy was healthy enough to be elevated to active duty, then why not enlist him as the starter? The Vikings and Chargers shared an 8-8-0 record prior to the recent fixture. However, the Chargers were favored to secure their fourth win of the year.

Justin Herbert and the Chargers wrapped up a 37-10 win, not because they were the better team on the night, but the Vikings played poorly. At the center of the Vikings was Wentz, who played nearly the entire four quarters despite squirming from pain in his left shoulder.

Wentz finished just 55.5% of his passes for 144 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception before Brosmer relieved him at the tail end of the fixture. Speaking with the reporters after the game, O’Connell accepted that he was “outplayed” and “outcoached” by Jim Harbaugh.

There are no excuses. Injuries, short week, whatever it is, that is not in any way, shape, or form our standard of what we want to put on the field…Every coach, every player. And it starts with me. I did not have our team prepared to play.

The Vikings were 3-2 ahead of Sunday’s game and now find themselves with a 3-4 record after losing to the Chargers. The Vikings have now lost 8 straight road games on Thursday Night, a streak that began in 1978.

Kevin O’Connell provided a hint at who would be the starter for the Vikings next week

After the horror show in LA, Kevin O’Connell hinted that there would be changes depending on McCarthy’s health. O’Connell said:

If J.J.’s healthy, J.J. will play. That’s been the case since the injury.

O’Connell picked McCarthy as his franchise quarterback ahead of the 2025 season after missing his rookie year through injury. He passed on the chance to re-sign Sam Darnold, who led the Vikings to the playoffs, or Daniel Jones (spent the latter part of the 2024 season on the Vikings practice squad), so that McCarthy could have a free rein.

Kevin O’Connell Takes Blame for Vikings' Loss to Chargers in JJ McCarthy's Absence
JJ McCarthy (Image via IMAGO)

Despite making a shaky start in his debut, McCarthy came back to secure a win over the Chicago Bears. However, the joy lasted just one game. In the following week, the Atlanta Falcons’ defense sacked him six times and forced two turnovers as the Vikings went down 6-22.

McCarthy has been out ever since, leaving Wentz to steady the Vikings’ ship. Needless to say, the former Eagle and Chiefs backup has not lived up to the expectations.

Up next, the Vikings face the Detroit Lions, who are looking just as dangerous as they were in 2024. Dan Campbell‘s Lions are 5-2 after taking down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the previous week. This game will prove a true test of O’Connell’s coaching skills.

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