Who Should I Start? J.J. McCarthy or Cam Ward

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.

Tuesday, June 3, 12:15 PM

The Tennessee Titans have been pleased with rookie first-round quarterback Cam Ward's progress this offseason as he learns the offense. "Pleased with where he's at," head coach Brian Callahan said. The head coach also said that Ward is picking things up pretty quickly as far as the mental part of the transition to the NFL. Although the 23-year-old first overall pick has been splitting reps evenly with Will Levis during offseason workouts, Ward is fully expected to win the starting QB job going into the 2025 regular season this fall. The Miami product has high-end arm strength and set an NCAA record with 158 career touchdown passes. There's plenty to like about Ward long term, but he's not much of a scrambler, and the Titans don't have a ton of weapons for him to be much more than a low-end QB2 with upside in fantasy in his rookie season.