Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell led the organization’s decision this offseason to pursue quarterback Kyler Murray after he and his staff could not solve J.J. McCarthy’s accuracy issues and develop him to be difference-maker, according to ESPN, which cited team and league sources.

One thing that stood out in the lengthy article was McCarthy’s reported immaturity — and one instance that “did not sit well internally” when the 2024 first-round pick celebrated a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys 5 yards before he crossed the line of scrimmage during a December clash, despite being told not to in practice.

At the time, McCarthy admitted he was warned not to repeat the celebration during a game.

“I did it in practice, and I was told not to do it,” McCarthy said after he threw for a career-high 250 yards in Minnesota’s 34-26 win over Dallas. “So, just me being who I am, it’s like, ‘Oh, now I’m more enticed to do it.’”

O’Connell also made it clear at the time that he wasn’t happy about McCarthy’s celebration.

McCarthy’s maturity level along with his decision-making and lack of quickness in the pocket seemingly played a factor in the Vikings choosing to sign Murray to a one-year deal in March after he was released by the Cardinals.

The Vikings demoted McCarthy to third-string QB four days before they opened the 2026 season against the Packers.

Murray won the starting job, with veteran Carson Wentz as the backup.

Murray went down with a concussion on Minnesota’s third possession and was relieved by Wentz, who finished 12-of-19 for 133 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings’ 39-22 victory over Green Bay.

O’Connell pushed hard to trade up from No. 11 to No. 3 to select Maye in the 2024 draft, but the New England Patriots turned down then-Minnesota GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s offer, according to ESPN.

O’Connell supported drafting McCarthy, 21 at the time, with a development plan that included veteran options in 2024 — such as Sam Darnold, now with the Seattle Seahawks.

Upon drafting him, the Vikings thought McCarthy might need multiple years before it was time to play him, sources told ESPN.

McCarthy missed his entire rookie season after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee during the preseason.

The Vikings fired Adofo-Mensah in January, and they named Nolan Teasley as the team’s general manager on June 1.

Teasley has said that McCarthy’s story is “not written,” and O’Connell referred to him as “a guy that we want to pour into every single day,” according to ESPN.

O’Connell said Friday that Wentz will be the team’s starting quarterback when the Vikings play the Bears in Chicago on Sunday.

Murray participated in all three practices this week, and O’Connell added that he “fully anticipates” Murray clearing concussion protocol next week.