To be fair, Minnesota’s first five weeks of the season are littered with challenges, including four nationally televised games and consecutive matchups overseas. As ESPN’s Kevin Seifert put it: “If the Vikings can make it to their Week 6 bye with their wits about them, McCarthy will have received the most intense indoctrination imaginable.”

They will be giving him a revamped offensive line, a loaded arsenal of skill players, and a defense ready to back him up.