J.J. McCarthy DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) has his sights set on being ready for the start of the team's offseason program in April. The head coach said that McCarthy's rehab from season-ending knee surgery in 2024 continues to go well. The 22-year-old first-rounder (10th overall) tore the meniscus in his right knee in the preseason and had to miss all of his first year in the NFL. Meanwhile, Sam Darnold had a career year for the Vikings. Darnold will be an unrestricted free agent in March, but it will be telling whether the Vikings let him walk, place the franchise tag on him or sign him to a multi-year extension. Minnesota still believes in McCarthy as their QB of the future, but depending on how they deal with the Darnold situation, he could be in for another "redshirt" year in 2025.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee), who missed all of his rookie year in the NFL after having knee surgery for a torn right meniscus, is expected to be ready for organized team activities this spring. He should be able to return to football activities in the next couple of weeks. However, the Vikings are still considering all of their options with impending free-agent QB Sam Darnold, who had a career year in Minnesota on a one-year deal in 2024. If Minnesota doesn't re-sign Darnold by March 4, they could place a franchise tag on him, which could allow McCarthy to develop for one more year behind Darnold. The Vikings also still have former Giants QB Daniel Jones, so if Darnold leaves in free agency, Jones would be an insurance policy in case the team doesn't feel McCarthy is ready to start early in the 2025 season.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) missed his entire rookie campaign after suffering a preseason ACL tear ahead of the 2024 campaign. The No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was expected to be brought along slowly, but there was a chance he would see playing time in Year 1. With McCarthy sidelined, veteran Sam Darnold started 17 games and threw for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Darnold is set to become a free agent this offseason, but the team could opt to bring him back. During an appearance on the "Rich Eisen Show," McCarthy said, "All I can ask for is a fair opportunity. That's the one that I feel like everybody's given and it's fundamental. When money gets involved, things get complicated, and reps get skewed and there's different things that come into the whole 'political' world that everyone talks about." It's unclear if the 22-year-old is feeling uneasy about his future with Minnesota following Darnold's breakout season, but it would be a surprise if the Vikings pulled the plug on their latest No. 10 overall pick so early.