J.J. McCarthy's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Minnesota Vikings No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy signed a four-year, fully-guaranteed rookie contract on Friday that is worth $21.85 million and also includes a $12.71 million signing bonus and a fifth-year team option, according to sources. McCarthy won a national championship at Michigan in his final season in college and is now hoping to be the Vikings' next franchise signal-caller, although it won't come right away. Former first-rounder Sam Darnold is fully expected to open the year as the starter under center in Minnesota, with McCarthy learning on the sidelines. Most evaluators don't see a ton of upside in McCarthy at the next level, but it doesn't mean he won't be making some starts later on in the 2024 campaign. McCarthy can be avoided in single-year fantasy leagues.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy was recently praised by fellow teammate Blake Cashman. Cashman, a linebacker, recently joined Minnesota this offseason and has been around several young quarterbacks. He began his career in the Big Apple with Zach Wilson and played with former second-overall pick C.J. Stroud last season. The 28-year-old defender said on the Jim Rome Show that McCarthy "Is 21 years old, but a great young man. He's a leader and he's eager to learn." This is great to see McCarthy's leadership translate quite well and quickly to the NFL as he led the Michigan Wolverines to two consecutive playoff appearances, including a national championship this past season. Cashman further expressed how well the young quarterback has thrown the ball in minicamps. Even though the 21-year-old is reportedly not starting in Week 1, according to Alec Lewis of the Athletic, it is great to see his veteran teammates express their excitement and support for him. McCarthy was a popular first-round selection in rookie drafts this past spring and remains a coveted asset in dynasty leagues.

The 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.

The Minnesota Vikings are taking it slow with rookie first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy in offseason workouts to help him develop confidence. The Vikings want to allow him to try throws, make mistakes and learn. Head coach Kevin O'Connell and his staff think that's the best path to long-term success. Unsurprisingly, McCarthy was inconsistent in organized team activities this week, although Thursday's session was easily his best. The young signal-caller is practicing new concepts, throwing to new receivers and is using new footwork, so growing pains are to be expected. Veteran QB Sam Darnold has taken all of the first-team repetitions at OTAs and has shown good chemistry with receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. All signs are pointing to Darnold starting the year under center, making McCarthy more of a dynasty/keeper league asset in 2024.

Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy took third-team reps during Tuesday's OTAs, according to Vikings reporter Andrew Krammer. Sam Darnold is operating as the starter for now, while veteran Nick Mullens is in the QB2 role. McCarthy, the team's No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 Draft, is viewed as the quarterback of the future, but there's a good chance he's eased along slowly given his youth. The National Championship-winning signal-caller turned 21 years old just four months ago, and he only attempted 713 total passes in three years in Michigan's run-heavy offense. Darnold has early-season appeal in deep Superflex or 2QB setups, while McCarthy is more of a dynasty league asset for the time being. The Vikings have a Week 6 bye in 2024, so Week 7 could be a potential target date for McCarthy's first taste of regular season action.