EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — This season for Minnesota was bound to test Kevin O’Connell, trying to strike the tricky balance between developing a starting quarterback who’d never played in the NFL and coaching a roster designed for a contender.

From injury absences to international travel to the glaring inexperience at the game’s most important position, the 2024 NFL Coach of the Year has been in the thick of a challenge — and then some.

During their 27-19 defeat by Baltimore on Sunday that dropped them to 4-5 on the season, including 2-2 with J.J. McCarthy under center, the Vikings were out of sync on everything from play-calling to pre-snap operation to passing mechanics.

While McCarthy has shown plenty of moxie for the biggest moments and made some big plays with his arm and his legs against

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