Much attention was paid to J.J. McCarthy‘s comments likening his relationship with Kyler Murray to two people sitting on opposite ends of a high school classroom.
While some believed those comments indicated a strained relationship between the two amid their battle for the Minnesota Vikings‘ starting quarterback room, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell sees things differently.
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O’Connell was asked about McCarthy’s comments during a June 4 media availability at Minnesota’s organized team activities (OTAs). During it, the 41-year-old coach lauded the Vikings’ “very professional” and “positive” quarterback room amid what he called a “transparent competition” to determine the team’s starter.
“I want players who are smart, tough guys that love football,” O’Connell told reporters. “Guys who – I don’t even want to say are great teammates – you need to attempt to be a great teammate. You need to repeat that time and time again because that process never stops.
“But it also doesn’t mean that everybody has to be smiling every day. When they speak to [reporters], I want them to be open. I want them to be honest, because I think it’s all part of having a transparent quarterback competition that allows these guys to truly demonstrate that they can consistently be the same guy every day and stack really good days. And when they do that, the team grows, and that’s what I ultimately care about is that position being an igniter of our team getting to what our ceiling may be for this year. And we’re far from that right now, this early in the process.”
O’Connell was particularly complimentary of Murray while giving his first impressions of the 28-year-old. He noted he was impressed by the veteran’s “daily growth” and progress in acclimating to Minnesota’s offense, while commending the skills Murray had showcased during practice sessions.
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“His physical talent throwing the ball has been on display every day,” O’Connell said of Murray. “The ability to throw to all three levels, layer the ball, anticipation that veteran players bring to the position.”
Still, O’Connell didn’t offer any hints about who might be ahead at the very early stages of Minnesota’s quarterback battle.
“I’ve been really happy with the way both of those guys – J.J. and Kyler – have kind of attacked it in their own individual ways knowing they’re competing,” O’Connell said.
“It’s a competition,” he added. “These guys are working every day. They know that. But the greater good of the Minnesota Vikings and our team ceiling is the most important thing. That’s clear to both of those guys.”
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The next step in the quarterback competition will be June 9, when the Vikings begin mandatory minicamp.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kevin O’Connell praises ‘very professional’ Kyler Murray, JJ McCarthy
