J.J. McCarthy may have spent his rookie season recovering from offseason knee surgery, but that hasn’t stopped him from closely watching the Minnesota Vikings and being thoroughly impressed with their success, particularly the leadership of head coach Kevin O’Connell.

Following the Vikings’ thrilling 27–24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16, which pushed them to an impressive 13–2 record, McCarthy took to social media to voice his admiration for O’Connell’s performance this season. The rookie quarterback didn’t hold back in his praise, boldly suggesting that O’Connell deserves to win the NFL’s Coach of the Year award.

McCarthy wrote on X, “What’s the requirements for this Coach of The Year thing again? Asking for a friend,” clearly impressed with what O’Connell has managed to accomplish with the team.

Under O’Connell’s leadership, the Vikings have posted their most wins in a season since his arrival as head coach, and they still have two games remaining. With a chance to tie the franchise’s single-season win record of 15 — set back in 1998 — the team’s performance has been nothing short of remarkable. The upcoming matchups against NFC North rivals, the Green Bay Packers in Week 17 and the Detroit Lions in Week 18, could be key to securing that milestone.

McCarthy, who is expected to be a key part of the Vikings’ future once fully recovered from his knee injury, appears eager to play under O’Connell’s guidance. His comments on social media not only reflect his respect for O’Connell’s coaching but also his excitement to join the team’s success once he’s back on the field in 2025. The Vikings have built a promising foundation this year, and with McCarthy’s eventual return, they look poised for even greater achievements in the seasons to come.