Ben Goessling
@bengoessling.bsky.social
Minnesota Vikings beat writer at Star Tribune; track/cross country ass't coach at Apple Valley and Augsburg. Husband, girl dad, sinner saved by grace.
Subscribe to the Access Vikings newsletter: https://pages.e2ma.net/pages/1788361/5824
Subscribe to the Access Vikings newsletter: https://pages.e2ma.net/pages/1788361/5824
Pinned
The making of J.J. McCarthy and the big business behind becoming an NFL quarterback
Is the Vikings’ new QB a product of a booming coaching industry, or was he destined to thrive in it? Either way, he’s a beacon for hopeful Vikings fans and an archetype for aspiring young players.
www.startribune.com
I spent the summer learning about the QB development industry: the private coaches and elite camps that now produces many of the country's top prospects.
It's complex and costly, but for some — like J.J. McCarthy — it can fulfill childhood dreams. My project:
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
It's complex and costly, but for some — like J.J. McCarthy — it can fulfill childhood dreams. My project:
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Justin Jefferson talked this week about restoring some of the youthful energy to his game, while J.J. McCarthy knows he needs to grow up on the job as fast as he can.
A look at the #Vikings' QB-WR duo at a bit of an inflection point: www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
A look at the #Vikings' QB-WR duo at a bit of an inflection point: www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
J.J. McCarthy, Justin Jefferson at a crossroads as the Vikings prepare for the Bears
As the Vikings sit at 4-5, last in the NFC North, their star receiver wants to recapture his youthful energy while their 22-year-old quarterback looks to scrub some blemishes out of his game.
www.startribune.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Justin Jefferson talked this week about restoring some of the youthful energy to his game, while J.J. McCarthy knows he needs to grow up on the job as fast as he can.
A look at the #Vikings' QB-WR duo at a bit of an inflection point: www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
A look at the #Vikings' QB-WR duo at a bit of an inflection point: www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
#Vikings injury report for Sunday vs Bears:
Out: Jonathan Greenard (shoulder), Ryan Kelly (concussion)
Kelly finished his first week of practice during his 21-day window to return from injured reserve. He’ll get at least one more week of practice before the Vikings think about playing him.
Out: Jonathan Greenard (shoulder), Ryan Kelly (concussion)
Kelly finished his first week of practice during his 21-day window to return from injured reserve. He’ll get at least one more week of practice before the Vikings think about playing him.
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
#Vikings injury report for Sunday vs Bears:
Out: Jonathan Greenard (shoulder), Ryan Kelly (concussion)
Kelly finished his first week of practice during his 21-day window to return from injured reserve. He’ll get at least one more week of practice before the Vikings think about playing him.
Out: Jonathan Greenard (shoulder), Ryan Kelly (concussion)
Kelly finished his first week of practice during his 21-day window to return from injured reserve. He’ll get at least one more week of practice before the Vikings think about playing him.
Today is the three-year anniversary of Justin Jefferson’s catch against the Bills. He said today that seeing the clips of the catch made him want to get back to his “savage mode” from 2022. “It’s just going out there and just killing it, and not worrying about anything else that I can't control.”
November 13, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Today is the three-year anniversary of Justin Jefferson’s catch against the Bills. He said today that seeing the clips of the catch made him want to get back to his “savage mode” from 2022. “It’s just going out there and just killing it, and not worrying about anything else that I can't control.”
J.J. McCarthy returned to full participation for the #Vikings on Thursday, after being limited Wednesday with the right hand injury he sustained Sunday.
November 13, 2025 at 9:45 PM
J.J. McCarthy returned to full participation for the #Vikings on Thursday, after being limited Wednesday with the right hand injury he sustained Sunday.
Asked J.J. McCarthy today how he balances the fact he's a first-year starter with the fact he leads a veteran team that won 14 games last year. Even with his inexperience, he said he's not looking to be graded on an easier curve.
November 13, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Asked J.J. McCarthy today how he balances the fact he's a first-year starter with the fact he leads a veteran team that won 14 games last year. Even with his inexperience, he said he's not looking to be graded on an easier curve.
J.J. McCarthy said his right hand injury happened when he hit his hand on helmet on the throw to the end zone for Justin Jefferson. When asked if it affected him, he said, “If you slam your hand in a car door, it’s gonna feel different. But there’s no excuse. You’ve got to push through.”
November 12, 2025 at 10:57 PM
J.J. McCarthy said his right hand injury happened when he hit his hand on helmet on the throw to the end zone for Justin Jefferson. When asked if it affected him, he said, “If you slam your hand in a car door, it’s gonna feel different. But there’s no excuse. You’ve got to push through.”
Putting out the weekly call for #Vikings questions. Leave them here, and we’ll answer them in the Access Vikings newsletter or mailbag episode of the podcast (both out Friday).
You can subscribe to the free Access Vikings newsletter here: link.email.startribune.com/join/7v1/sig....
You can subscribe to the free Access Vikings newsletter here: link.email.startribune.com/join/7v1/sig....
Sign up for Access Vikings
Sign up for Minnesota Vikings news and complete team coverage.
link.email.startribune.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Putting out the weekly call for #Vikings questions. Leave them here, and we’ll answer them in the Access Vikings newsletter or mailbag episode of the podcast (both out Friday).
You can subscribe to the free Access Vikings newsletter here: link.email.startribune.com/join/7v1/sig....
You can subscribe to the free Access Vikings newsletter here: link.email.startribune.com/join/7v1/sig....
Kevin O’Connell on people making quick conclusions on J.J. McCarthy: “I’ve long understood that's what it is. I think you're speaking in regards to not only the people in this room, but the people that fill stadiums, the people that evaluate the quarterback position from many different landscapes.
November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Kevin O’Connell on people making quick conclusions on J.J. McCarthy: “I’ve long understood that's what it is. I think you're speaking in regards to not only the people in this room, but the people that fill stadiums, the people that evaluate the quarterback position from many different landscapes.
Kevin O’Connell said Carson Wentz had successful left shoulder surgery in Los Angeles yesterday. He’ll be back in the building to start his rehab.
J.J. McCarthy will practice with a bandage on his right hand after hitting it on his helmet, O’Connell said. The #Vikings don’t expect it’ll affect him.
J.J. McCarthy will practice with a bandage on his right hand after hitting it on his helmet, O’Connell said. The #Vikings don’t expect it’ll affect him.
November 12, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Kevin O’Connell said Carson Wentz had successful left shoulder surgery in Los Angeles yesterday. He’ll be back in the building to start his rehab.
J.J. McCarthy will practice with a bandage on his right hand after hitting it on his helmet, O’Connell said. The #Vikings don’t expect it’ll affect him.
J.J. McCarthy will practice with a bandage on his right hand after hitting it on his helmet, O’Connell said. The #Vikings don’t expect it’ll affect him.
Kevin O’Connell said the #Vikings “got some good news” on Jonathan Greenard’s left shoulder injury. They’ll see if he can play Sunday, but O’Connell thinks the Vikings avoided a long-term injury.
Theo Jackson cleared the concussion protocol, and Josh Oliver will get some work.
Theo Jackson cleared the concussion protocol, and Josh Oliver will get some work.
November 10, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Kevin O’Connell said the #Vikings “got some good news” on Jonathan Greenard’s left shoulder injury. They’ll see if he can play Sunday, but O’Connell thinks the Vikings avoided a long-term injury.
Theo Jackson cleared the concussion protocol, and Josh Oliver will get some work.
Theo Jackson cleared the concussion protocol, and Josh Oliver will get some work.
J.J. McCarthy is yelling "Oscar, Oscar!" on this play, which is typically to change the direction of a run. Christian Darrisaw committed the #Vikings' fourth false start of the day as McCarthy made the check.
November 10, 2025 at 5:25 PM
J.J. McCarthy is yelling "Oscar, Oscar!" on this play, which is typically to change the direction of a run. Christian Darrisaw committed the #Vikings' fourth false start of the day as McCarthy made the check.
“They’re obviously a very upset group in there. We could have done a lot of things better.”
A week after their postgame revelry at Ford Field, the #Vikings were subdued at U.S. Bank Stadium for the third time this year. My game story from Sunday’s loss: www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
A week after their postgame revelry at Ford Field, the #Vikings were subdued at U.S. Bank Stadium for the third time this year. My game story from Sunday’s loss: www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
MN Vikings lose to Ravens 27-19, put brakes on season
The manner by which the Vikings lost to the Ravens 27-19 on Sunday was a jarring reality check after last week’s upset in Detroit.
www.startribune.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:24 AM
“They’re obviously a very upset group in there. We could have done a lot of things better.”
A week after their postgame revelry at Ford Field, the #Vikings were subdued at U.S. Bank Stadium for the third time this year. My game story from Sunday’s loss: www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
A week after their postgame revelry at Ford Field, the #Vikings were subdued at U.S. Bank Stadium for the third time this year. My game story from Sunday’s loss: www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Kevin O’Connell said the #Vikings tried to simplify the cadence once the false starts became an issue.
“A couple of them came when we were motioning,” he said. “Maybe there was a little bit more hard count emphasis by J.J. We have multiple cadences, and guys have not an issue with [it] this year.”
“A couple of them came when we were motioning,” he said. “Maybe there was a little bit more hard count emphasis by J.J. We have multiple cadences, and guys have not an issue with [it] this year.”
November 9, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Kevin O’Connell said the #Vikings tried to simplify the cadence once the false starts became an issue.
“A couple of them came when we were motioning,” he said. “Maybe there was a little bit more hard count emphasis by J.J. We have multiple cadences, and guys have not an issue with [it] this year.”
“A couple of them came when we were motioning,” he said. “Maybe there was a little bit more hard count emphasis by J.J. We have multiple cadences, and guys have not an issue with [it] this year.”
Kevin O’Connell said Jonathan Greenard will get assessed today and tomorrow for the left shoulder injury he had during the game.
November 9, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Kevin O’Connell said Jonathan Greenard will get assessed today and tomorrow for the left shoulder injury he had during the game.
The #Vikings have now lost three of four at home this season after falling 27-19 to the Ravens, in a game where they were penalized 13 times for 102 yards, including eight false starts at home.
J.J. McCarthy: 20-42, 248 yards, one TD, two INTs. He was the Vikings' leading rusher, with 48 yards.
J.J. McCarthy: 20-42, 248 yards, one TD, two INTs. He was the Vikings' leading rusher, with 48 yards.
November 9, 2025 at 9:20 PM
The #Vikings have now lost three of four at home this season after falling 27-19 to the Ravens, in a game where they were penalized 13 times for 102 yards, including eight false starts at home.
J.J. McCarthy: 20-42, 248 yards, one TD, two INTs. He was the Vikings' leading rusher, with 48 yards.
J.J. McCarthy: 20-42, 248 yards, one TD, two INTs. He was the Vikings' leading rusher, with 48 yards.
That's false start No. 8 today. Three on Brian O'Neill.
November 9, 2025 at 9:14 PM
That's false start No. 8 today. Three on Brian O'Neill.
After the #Vikings' seventh(!) false start of the day, J.J. McCarthy hits Jalen Nailor for his first touchdown pass at U.S. Bank Stadium. They'll go for two and try to make it 27-21.
November 9, 2025 at 8:59 PM
After the #Vikings' seventh(!) false start of the day, J.J. McCarthy hits Jalen Nailor for his first touchdown pass at U.S. Bank Stadium. They'll go for two and try to make it 27-21.
Lamar Jackson to Mark Andrews off a rollout for the TD. Ravens will go for 2 to try and make it 27-13.
November 9, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Lamar Jackson to Mark Andrews off a rollout for the TD. Ravens will go for 2 to try and make it 27-13.
12-10 Ravens after another Tyler Loop field goal. #Vikings' pressure forced Lamar Jackson to throw it away on second and third down, holding the Ravens to three after the J.J. McCarthy pick.
November 9, 2025 at 7:49 PM
12-10 Ravens after another Tyler Loop field goal. #Vikings' pressure forced Lamar Jackson to throw it away on second and third down, holding the Ravens to three after the J.J. McCarthy pick.
After back-to-back Aaron Jones runs that gained 22 yards, and a four-yard completion to Jordan Addison, Kevin O’Connell calls a play action shot out of 22 personnel on third down.
J.J. McCarthy is picked by Marlon Humphrey as Justin Jefferson falls down.
J.J. McCarthy is picked by Marlon Humphrey as Justin Jefferson falls down.
November 9, 2025 at 7:42 PM
After back-to-back Aaron Jones runs that gained 22 yards, and a four-yard completion to Jordan Addison, Kevin O’Connell calls a play action shot out of 22 personnel on third down.
J.J. McCarthy is picked by Marlon Humphrey as Justin Jefferson falls down.
J.J. McCarthy is picked by Marlon Humphrey as Justin Jefferson falls down.
The Aaron Rodgers/Anthony Barr rule got Dallas Turner there. Boos from the U.S. Bank Stadium crowd, though the Ravens will line up for a field goal anyway.
November 9, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The Aaron Rodgers/Anthony Barr rule got Dallas Turner there. Boos from the U.S. Bank Stadium crowd, though the Ravens will line up for a field goal anyway.