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

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.

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.

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.

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.