Vikings keep the development process for recovering J.J. McCarthy in motion during the bye week

The Minnesota Vikings welcomed their time off from a much-needed bye week, following an unprecedented 10-day, two-game trip to Ireland and England amid an early season surge of injuries.

Not all of the players took a break. J.J. McCarthy had work to do.

After his progression as an NFL quarterback hit another snag with a sprained ankle that sidelined him for the last three games, McCarthy has been entrenched this week at the team's practice facility upon return from Europe in preparation for the resumption of the schedule.

Though Carson Wentz capably steered them to two victories with a veteran savvy and poise, the Vikings have a 22-year-old to develop in a win-now league. There's no reason to wait longer to bring McCarthy back if he's fully healthy. Doing so would be an admission of uncertainty around his ability to do the job.

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell has deftly avoided definitive answers when asked recently about the short-term plan. In describing the extensive drills McCarthy would be going through during the bye, however, O'Connell sure made it sound as though his protege will be on the field on Oct. 19 when Minnesota hosts defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.

"We'll pick it up officially next week," O'Connell said Monday, "but I'm encouraged about where he's at right now."

After spending his entire rookie season rehabilitating from knee surgery and learning behind the scenes, McCarthy made a splash in his debut with a three-touchdown fourth quarter to rally past Chicago. The sequel was a flop, a lopsided defeat in the home opener to Atlanta fueled by sacks and turnovers. McCarthy was hurt in that game and yielded the following week to Wentz.

"He´s had some real moments of growth through this time, watching Carson," O'Connell said. "Just seeing the value of putting the ball in play, even when it´s not your first progression, even when it´s not the most exciting completion of all time."

That's normal instruction for young quarterbacks, the type of lessons he likely would've more fully digested had he been able to play last year. What's atypical about this situation for the Vikings is that they're trying to develop McCarthy on the fly with a roster built and financed for a deep run through the playoffs after a 14-win season with Sam Darnold at the helm.

Injuries have already cost the Vikings a cumulative absence of 22 games from the core of their offense, factoring in the optimal starting lineup and key role players and excluding significant stretches of game time missed by the players who were injured and unable to return. This has created yet another hurdle on the path to sustainable success for McCarthy, who has had plenty going on away from football, too: He welcomed a baby boy into his home last month after his fiancée gave birth to the couple's first child.

The Vikings have frequently given ringing endorsements of McCarthy's mental acuity, and his coachability and confidence are such that he was voted as one of eight team captains for this season before he'd even taken a meaningful NFL snap.

The current priority for O'Connell is to hone in on the finer points of playing the position, particularly the art of tying the feet to the eyes in the process of dropping back so that the placement and velocity of McCarthy's passes are regularly in sync with the routes and the protections. O'Connell mentioned this often throughout last year as he helped revive Darnold's career.

"I think the most critical part is going to be the technique and fundamentals of him playing the position the way he worked so hard to build up throughout the spring and the summer," O'Connell said. "It´s going to be more about the physical side of his lower-body mechanics and then just trying to put together a game plan for him throughout the process of how much can he do and what's the soreness level coming out of practices to be able to try to have the most consistent level of a ramp-up as we can with him."

As for Wentz, who admirably joined the team right before the regular season and found himself starting just three weeks later, he wasn't worried about whether he'd get to play again when asked about his status following the comeback win over Cleveland.

"I´ve done plenty of looking ahead in my life. I´m done doing that," Wentz said after throwing the go-ahead touchdown pass to Jordan Addison with 25 seconds left in London on Sunday. "I´m very much trying to live in the moment and appreciate the moment right now."

Lily, a 24-year-old waitress, had no idea that she was serving NFL superstar Daniel Jones. Polite and discreet, Daniel Jones enjoyed his meal without attracting attention. But when he left, he placed a folded receipt on the table… and walked out with a smile. Curious, Lily opened it, but just a few minutes later burst into tears. Daniel Jones’ post wasn’t just a thank you, Lily tearfully shared with reporters — It changed her life…

The Saints are amidst a complete rebuild. This has led to speculation about New Orleans trading their veteran players. One of the players who have received attention is Cameron Jordan. 

Josh Weil at Pro Football Network proposed a trade that could be beneficial for both sides.

First off, losing Jordan would hurt on the field, but be devastating off it. He is a franchise legend and a community cornerstone. In addition, he is having an outstanding season, with 2.5 sacks and four tackles for loss. Trading him would be a tough decision, and likely one the Saints won’t make. However, every player has a price.

In this proposal, Jordan gets shipped off to the San Francisco 49ers and the Saints get a 2026 third-round pick. He would go to a championship contender and the Saints would get significant draft capital. It would make sense for both sides if New Orleans would be willing to move on.

The capital is great, but the trade is unlikely

Obtaining a third round pick for a 36 year old player is amazing value. Rebuilding wise, it’s a perfect trade. Weil makes some great points on why it would make sense. However, it still seems unlikely the Saints would pull the trigger.

“The Saints are committed to a rebuild, and Kellen Moore still has the boys playing hard, which you must respect.” Weil said, “Look for some veterans to leave New Orleans and for Moore to look to bring in guys who match more with the style he intends to play there.”

Jordan has clearly stated his desire to finish his career in the Big Easy. It’s unlikely the Saints would cross him and send him elsewhere. In addition, he’s still a big contributor defensively. Even if they get draft capital, it’s tough to see them moving on.

This trade would create some financial issues. Trading Jordan would net $17.5 million in dead money according to Over the Cap. This would put the Saints approximately $7.5 million over the salary cap this season. Nothing they couldn’t fix, but still an added complication.

This trade makes sense on paper. They ship off a veteran player and get some draft capital back. However, it’s still unlikely to happen. Cameron Jordan means too much to the team and community to trade, plus it would create some financial restrictions.

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