The language head coach Kevin O’Connell uses when he talks about his young quarterback has changed over the past two years.

The Vikings made sure not to miss out on the record quarterback rush at the top of the 2024 draft, confidently selecting McCarthy with the 10th pick as the promising prospect for their reputable system they could mold into a long-term fixture at this vital and vexing position.

Two of them of keen interest to Vikings fans, which Patrick Reusse and I talked about as well on Monday’s Daily Delivery podcast: the futures of quarterback J.J. McCarthy and defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Let’s dive in at the start of today’s 10 things to know:

The Vikings got a little bit of everything from McCarthy on Sunday — the good and the bad. But it's still not clear what they have.

Speaking Monday, former Vikings linebacker and current radio analyst Ben Leber said he didn't "love" McCarthy's decision to leave the game, and he certainly wasn't a fan of how theatrical the 22-year-old's exit was as he covered his hand in a towel and held it behind his back.

The Vikings receiver called for leniency for McCarthy, who was making his first pro starts this season, while acknowledging needing to help him clean up “small bad habits.”

Remember last season when the Minnesota Vikings found no credible backup behind J.J. McCarthy on the depth chart until late […]

McCarthy’s ability to start was the biggest question at the season’s onset and it’s still — at best — a question as the Vikings limp into the offseason.