After Sunday’s 15-10 victory over Miami, the Minnesota Vikings fanbase is left wondering whether the quarterback issues stem from the players or the offensive coordinator. Head Coach Kevin O’Connell serves in both roles, and the once-tabbed “quarterback whisperer” has seen more failures than successes with his starting quarterbacks.
While Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold found success in both the box score and the win column under O’Connell, J.J. McCarthy, Josh Dobbs, Nick Mullens, Max Brosmer, and now Kyler Murray have all struggled in the pocket. With wide receivers running 20-yard routes and failing to get separation, O’Connell’s reluctance to let mobile quarterbacks like Murray, Dobbs, and McCarthy use their legs—focusing instead on big, “explosive” pass plays—frequently leads to sacks.
Forcing Murray into seven-step drops to look over the offensive line while restricting his mobility tries to make him into something he is not. Right now, the closest player on the bench to Cousins and Darnold is Carson Wentz. While a 4-0 start is great, the Vikings’ offense must improve to remain competitive against teams that can score more than one touchdown a game.
Brian Flores’s defense has been stellar, but tougher challenges lie ahead with high-powered offenses like the Lions and Bills. O’Connell needs to stop trying to fit a square peg into a round hole with Murray and instead adapt the offense to play to his strengths. If he won’t, Wentz should start.
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