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

The 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.

NFL 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.

Minnesota 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.