When the Minnesota Vikings drafted rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the first round, their path to a Super Bowl became clearer, though it may face some challenges.
Starting their 20th year of owning the Vikings, the Wilf family is prepared for McCarthy’s development to take time, even if it extends their long quest for a championship into a third decade of owning the team.
“We want to win, but we also think about the long-term health of the organization, not just business-wise, but winning,” said owner and president Mark Wilf, who, along with his brother Zygi Wilf and cousin Lenny Wilf, bought the Vikings in 2005.
“That’s what our fans want. That’s what we want. We’re trying to build for the long term.”
McCarthy, the 10th overall pick from national champion Michigan, has shown impressive throws in training camp, though he has also faced typical rookie challenges.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell has given veteran Sam Darnold most of the reps with the first-team offense, indicating that McCarthy is likely in for a developmental season.
Mark Wilf said before practice on Tuesday that waiting for lasting success is acceptable, even though the family is frustrated that the Vikings haven’t won a championship under their leadership.
“That drives us every single day, bringing home Super Bowl championships for our fans. We want to win. We have to balance that. We’re fans too,” Wilf said.
“The bottom line from ownership is we’re here to provide the resources, we’re here to provide the leadership and coaching, and Kevin O’Connell is our head coach and he knows quarterbacks and we have confidence in his ability to develop these guys.”
Given the importance of letting Kirk Cousins go as a free agent after six seasons with only one playoff win, the owners were involved in pre-draft strategy sessions with O’Connell, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, and their key advisers.
