ESPN.com · Nov 8, 2025
Can J.J. McCarthy lead Vikings' roster to playoffs?
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EAGAN, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings kept two essential principles in mind when searching for a quarterback in the 2024 draft. They needed to assess the skills of each player, of course, but they also wanted to project the type of team to build around the player they ultimately acquired.
"What people don't understand about the quarterback-selection process is that it's not just the quarterback themselves," coach Kevin O'Connell told ESPN at the time. "It's: 'What does the rest of the picture look like with that quarterback?'"
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