What unfolded Thursday night in Los Angeles is the kind of loss that keeps coaches up at night. O’Connell, his staff and players have a lot to discuss, analyze and fix, assuming that last part is still possible.
The quarterback question should not even be a discussion at this point. J.J. McCarthy’s ankle should be healed enough for him to play. Get him back on the field and restart his development.
The Vikings don’t have an identity at this point. Not on offense or defense, something that is reliable regardless of circumstance. That is a jarring admission for a veteran team that was constructed to win now.