April 29, 2025
There have been questions surrounding whether or not Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (knee) was prepared to start in 2025, but the 2024 first-round pick out of Michigan has no doubts, saying, "I know I'm ready to start." The 22-year-old missed his entire rookie campaign after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee, setting veteran
Sam Darnold up as the clear starter all season. The Vikings traded for former Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Sam Howell during the 2025 NFL Draft, but the team has not invested in other notable quarterbacks this offseason. That said, McCarthy is the clear favorite to earn the starting nod. While McCarthy will likely see growing pains in his first year, a supporting cast consisting of
Justin Jefferson,
Jordan Addison,
T.J. Hockenson, and
Aaron Jones should give him a chance to succeed. That said, he might not be on the fantasy radar in single-QB formats this season.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Kevin Seifert - ESPN
April 21, 2025
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said on Monday that quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (knee) is "full" with "no limitations" during the team's voluntary offseason program. McCarthy suffered a meniscus tear in his knee in the preseason last year that required surgery and caused him to miss his entire rookie campaign after being taken in the first round (10th overall) in 2024. But now that both
Sam Darnold and
Daniel Jones left in free agency, the 22-year-old signal-caller will be given the starting reigns in 2025. Minnesota could revisit signing
Aaron Rodgers later this offseason if they aren't happy with McCarthy's progress, but that's probably unlikely. McCarthy will have one of the best receiver duos in the league with
Justin Jefferson and
Jordan Addison, but fantasy managers should still expect ups and downs in his first full season as the starter. Those holding McCarthy in dynasty leagues have to be pleased with how this offseason has played out.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
March 27, 2025
Naming quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (knee) as the Minnesota Vikings' starting quarterback is "the outcome we want" and "the outcome we're headed towards," general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said on Wednesday. However, the GM also refused to rule out the possibility of revisiting talks with free-agent QB
Aaron Rodgers later this offseason if he's still available. McCarthy and
Brett Rypien are the only QBs currently on the Vikings roster after both
Sam Darnold and
Daniel Jones left in free agency. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in 2024, missed all of his rookie season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee suffered in the preseason. However, he's been cleared for offseason activities and is working to regain weight after losing more than 20 pounds. McCarthy said he hasn't been told he's the starter, but barring something unexpected, he should be under center for the Vikes in Week 1 this fall.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
March 25, 2025
Minnesota 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.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Up & Adams
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