By JAKE NISSE, US SPORTS WRITER
Published: 18:04 EDT, 16 August 2025 | Updated: 18:11 EDT, 16 August 2025
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell provided an NSFW moment on live TV as he cursed in response to a blunder from his team on Saturday.
O'Connell was mic'd up for a portion of the Vikings' preseason clash against the Patriots when he began walking the commentators through Minnesota's next play call.
'I'm excited about this year's team and excited about this play-call, fellas. We've got a fast-motion,' he began on the Twin Cities' Fox affiliate.
But he quickly realized that something was amiss with his team's execution.
'Oh no, f***,' he said before the ball was hiked.
While Minnesota gained a first down on the play, it was called back for a penalty - which explains why the coach was frustrated before the ball was even snapped.
Kevin O'Connell cursed live on TV as he realized his team had messed up a play execution
Max Brosmer threw a game-ending interception in Minnesota as the hosts lost
Minnesota ultimately lost the game 20-12, with three quarterbacks suiting up - but not starter J.J. McCarthy.
O'Connell expressed to reporters on Thursday that he was encouraged by the second-year passer's performance this week in joint practices against the Patriots.
'To go out there and execute the way he did, it felt decisive,' O'Connell said.
'It felt incredibly - an incredible amount of conviction to some of the decisions that he made, location of the football, a lot to build on.'
McCarthy has been entrusted with the Vikings' starting job after missing the entirety of his rookie season with a right meniscus injury, though there has been recent reporting that the team has propped up the passer throughout camp.
'What I hear about JJ McCarthy isn't what... is sometimes reported,' Colin Cowherd said on The Herd in a conversation with Dianna Russini. 'There is almost this protective bubble, or elevation of what he's doing. And it's not what I'm hearing. That there are real concerns, from last year on.'
Russini added that the team had been 'lifting up' McCarthy and said: 'Do I think J.J. McCarthy is wowing everyone at training camp? No, I don't. I think he's fine.'
The Vikings will hope that McCarthy can hit the ground running after the team went 14-3 last season.
Minnesota Vikings