J.J. McCarthy Won't Be Starting In Week 1
9 months agoThe Athletic's Alec Lewis writes that Minnesota Vikings first-round rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy definitely won't be starting in Week 1 of the 2024 regular season, and he probably won't start in the first quarter of the season. There's even a scenario in which he shouldn't be expected to start at all this year, depending on how Sam Darnold fares. It's not a referendum on McCarthy's talent or his minicamp performance, but rather the team's long-term developmental plan for him. If Darnold, a former first-rounder himself, is dominating and winning in his first year in Minnesota, it will make it easy for the coaching staff to keep McCarthy on the sidelines while he learns. But if Darnold is struggling and the team isn't competitive, it will be hard for head coach Kevin O'Connell to quiet the noise for McCarthy. The bottom line is that McCarthy should be avoided in redraft fantasy leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Vikings Haven't Told J.J. McCarthy He's the Starting QB
3 days agoMinnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) said on the Up & Adams Show that the team hasn't told him that he's the starting QB going into the 2025 season this fall, and he's "happy they didn't." The Vikings reportedly told free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers that they aren't considering signing him, which essentially sent the message that the team is moving forward with McCarthy, a first-rounder last year, as their starting QB, even though he missed all of his rookie season with a torn meniscus suffered in the preseason. The Vikings are still expected to add a veteran signal-caller after losing both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones in free agency, but it won't be someone that pushes the 22-year-old McCarthy for the starting gig. Something could change once the Vikings begin offseason workouts, but for now, all signs point to McCarthy starting in Week 1 this fall.
Source: Up & Adams
Source: Up & Adams
Vikings Have Rejected Trade Calls On J.J. McCarthy
1 week agoThe Minnesota Vikings have rejected multiple trade calls on quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) and are telling other teams that they are moving forward with him as their quarterback, sources tell NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The Vikings plan to add a veteran as insurance for McCarthy, but Pelissero reports that they aren't currently pursuing free-agent QB Aaron Rodgers. Barring something unforeseen, McCarthy is Minnesota's QB1 this offseason. The 22-year-old first-round pick last year out of Michigan tore the meniscus in his knee after an impressive preseason performance and missed his entire rookie season. Despite that and Sam Darnold having a career year in 2024, the Vikes let Darnold walk in free agency, doubling down on McCarthy. They're showing even more faith in him by passing on Rodgers, but that could change if McCarthy struggles during offseason workouts.
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
J.J. McCarthy Likely To Be Vikings Starter In 2025
2 weeks agoNFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that with quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones now out of town, it's considered likely that J.J. McCarthy (knee) will be the Minnesota Vikings' starting QB in 2025. The Vikings had plenty of interest in retaining one of Darnold or Jones, but they were outbid by the Seahawks and Colts, respectively. Minnesota will probably add a veteran QB as insurance, but all signs point to McCarthy leading the offense from Week 1 after he missed all of 2024 due to a torn meniscus that he suffered in the preseason. The 22-year-old Michigan product was the 10th overall pick in last year's draft. Although he has an excellent one-two punch to work with at receiver in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and a QB guru in head coach Kevin O'Connell, fantasy managers should expect growing pains from McCarthy. Fantasy managers in single-QB, 12-team leagues can ignore McCarthy in 2025.
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
J.J. McCarthy Expected To Be Able To Practice In The Spring
3 weeks agoMinnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) is expected to be cleared to participate in his team's spring activities after tearing his meniscus last summer. McCarthy missed his entire rookie year after having surgery to repair the meniscus injury but his availability early in the team's offseason is promising news. With McCarthy trending up, the Vikings are expected to officially move on from 2024 starter Sam Darnold, who is rumored to be high on the Seattle Seahawks' list after they traded Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday night. McCarthy is likely to open the 2025 season as the Vikings' starter, although the team would still like to add a veteran to the quarterback room, according to Tom Pelissero.
Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter
Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter
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