Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell provides an update on J.J. McCarthy ahead of quarterback decision this offseason.

The quarterback position was central to the conversation at the end of season press conferences that the Vikings held on Thursday.

The potential terms of Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell's contract extension are expected to align with J.J. McCarthy's development plan.

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy was at the helm of the Michigan Wolverines a year ago at this time when his team pushed around the Washington Huskies, 34-13, to win t

Last summer, Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell gave J.J. McCarthy a ringing endorsement as the team's quarterback of the future. "Everyone should be excited that we got our young franchise quarterback in the building,” O’Connell said in August after McCarthy underwent season-ending knee surgery.

Sam Darnold was supposed to be a one-year bridge to J.J. McCarthy, who would have had a chance to earn the starting job during the season. But then McCarthy hurt his knee, Minnesota sidelined him for his rookie campaign and Darnold went on to throw for more than 4,300 yards and 35 touchdowns.

From left to right, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf, coach Kevin O'Connell, first-round draft picks J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and owner Mark Wilf. (Abbie Parr/The ...

NFL season ended in supreme disappointment for the Minnesota Vikings and their fans, accolades continue to pour in for head coach Kevin O'Connell. O'Connell was named Sporting News Coach of the Year on Thursday after leading Minnesota to a 14-3 record,

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed Thursday rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy has resumed on-field training. McCarthy missed the

Kevin O'Connell is high on J.J. McCarthy heading into next season as he draws a clear line with pending quarterback situation. Las Vegas Raiders v Minnesota Vikings / Stephen Maturen/GettyImages ...

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy bought more than a dozen pizzas from a OG Zaza in Roseville, then handed them out to homeless people needing a meal.

Should the Vikings pay Darnold after his (mostly) excellent season? Or should they go with McCarthy and spend that money at other positions?