Who Should I Start? Caleb Williams or J.J. McCarthy

Thursday, May 29, 1:46 PM

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is taking part in voluntary organized team activities this week, but he was intercepted twice in a rough day for the offense at practice on Wednesday. Williams had a minor surgery in the offseason to remove a cyst from his right wrist, but he's back on the practice field and shouldn't have any issues being ready for his second NFL campaign. The 23-year-old former first overall pick out of USC was a disappointment in his first year in the NFL and took a league-high 68 sacks in 17 starts. It didn't help that Chicago fired head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron midway through the season. Williams finished with 3,541 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. While Williams is by no means on the QB1 radar in fantasy, he should be able to improve in Year 2 under new head coach Ben Johnson in an offense with plenty of playmakers.

Wednesday, May 7, 9:26 PM

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell didn't really acknowledge whether former first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) will face competition for the starting job in 2025. "J.J. is going to be in a great position to assume and ascend in our organization," O'Connell said on The Rich Eisen Show. "But right now, we really don't have any feelings on competition as much as we've got an obligation as coaches to put our players in position to attack that competition phase." Sam Howell and Brett Rypien are the other options in the QB room. O'Connell did say that McCarthy is "owning it" this offseason and will get plenty of reps with the starters. The 22-year-old missed his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee, but he's fully expected to be ready for the start of 2025. O'Connell said he's seen a difference in McCarthy's footwork, rhythm, timing and cadence from a year ago. The Vikes like him a lot, so he's expected to be the starter in Week 1, where he'll be a low-end QB2 in fantasy with upside.