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Vikings Asst. Turned Down Multiple Promotions; Would’ve Spurned More…
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- Vikings Asst. Turned Down Multiple Promotions; Would’ve Spurned More…
Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
On Monday Night Football the Minnesota Vikings take center stage in primetime against the Chicago Bears . That game will be the highly-anticipated debut of J.J. McCarthy as the hopeful quarterback of the future.
It's a full-circle moment for the LaGrange, Illinois-native. He'll be making his first NFL start at the stadium where he first saw an NFL game (at four years old). This moment has been more than a year in the making , and he has developed strong relationships within and organization that tabbed him to take over.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Kevin O'Connell speaks glowingly of his young signal caller. He's not alone, and quarterback coach Josh McCown is all in as well.
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Josh McCown has stuck by Minnesota Vikings despite interest
This offseason there was plenty of interest in Josh McCown for multiple different coaching roles. He did an interview with the New York Jets . It wasn't his first interview and it won't be his last. For not though, he has no interest in leaving the Minnesota Vikings.
Even if the New York Jets had offered their head coaching job to Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, among 17 candidates to talk with Jets ownership about the opening this offseason, something rooted him in Minnesota. Or someone: Kevin O'Connell, and the chance to work with the reigning NFL Coach of the Year for a second season.
McCown, now 46, already has as many NFL head coaching interviews – two – as he has years of NFL coaching experience. That underscores his reputation of a likeable leader with two decades' worth of quarterbacking lessons and a unique way of applying them.
"J.J.'s confidence is sky high because he's got a guy like Josh in the room with him," O'Connell said. "I feel like Josh is the perfect coach to be an extension of me in so many ways and allow me to play my role with that position."
McCown is also not rushing his own development as a coach. He declined to pursue offensive coordinator opportunities this offseason to stay in Minnesota with talented coaches, top players and a young quarterback.
"Absolutely love that guy," McCarthy said of McCown. "Like an older brother to me. … I feel like our relationship continues to grow every moment we spend with each other. You can't take for granted all the lessons he's been through, all the situations he's had to overcome, the resiliency he has, like, it's something really special."
As the Star Tribune's Andrew Krammer points out, McCown has become something special, and he feels that in his current fit as well. McCown worked with Drake Maye in high school and turned him into a star. He helped to get Sam Darnold paid , and now he's looking to make McCarthy the next data point.
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The early success has provided opportunity. He could have parlayed that opportunity into a promotion, but instead is choosing to stay the course. At 46 years old, there will continue to be opportunity, but in this season it seems McCown is right where he wants to be.
Related: Kevin O'Connell Reveals Worrisome News on Vikings Injury Report
No matter who Krammer talked to, the message remained the same. McCown connects with people and is able to cultivate relationships. That ability has helped him to develop quarterbacks, but also embody what is most important as a coach.
Quarterbacks set up for success with MN Vikings
Because of Josh McCown, the Minnesota Vikings have found their quarterbacks to be in positive individual situations. Of course head coach Kevin O'Connell is the reigning NFL Head Coach of the Year , and has been lauded for his knowledge of the quarterback position. Still, McCown makes his mark as well.
"[McCown has] the best individual drills I've been around. He likes to mess with your brain a little bit. He'll kind of tap you on the arms, grab your hands when you're sliding up in the pocket. At the last second, he'll change your target."
"How he dissects protections and all that. He gives great presentations."
"He could connect with everybody, offense or defense. There's a way of communicating, love of the game, family — all these little boxes you can check with a coach-player relationship."
At some point McCown will leave the Minnesota Vikings for a head coaching job. The calls will become more frequent and the noise will get harder to ignore.
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For now though, it's McCown that has continued to choose the Vikings. He chose Maye. Then he chose Darnold. Now he'll choose McCarthy. If the track record is anything to believe in, this could be special.
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