Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or J.J. McCarthy

Tuesday, April 8, 2:12 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders traded for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith last month before signing him to a two-year $75 million contract this week. The move united Smith back with former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, a reconnection the two are excited about. "I think there is unfinished business, and I think when people think about my story, you know, Coach Carroll was a big part of that," Smith said. "He gave me an opportunity when not many people would have. He saw the hard work that I was putting in, he saw the things behind the scenes that I do that allow me to get this opportunity." Smith enjoyed the best season of his career under Carroll in 2022, passing for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. While Smith will be on the fantasy football radar in Superflex and two-QB leagues, he'll likely be a fringe starter in single-QB setups in a rebuilding Raiders' offense. However, tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers give him formidable weapons to put together a solid passing attack.

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.