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

Monday, February 10, 12:10 PM

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee), who missed all of his rookie year in the NFL after having knee surgery for a torn right meniscus, is expected to be ready for organized team activities this spring. He should be able to return to football activities in the next couple of weeks. However, the Vikings are still considering all of their options with impending free-agent QB Sam Darnold, who had a career year in Minnesota on a one-year deal in 2024. If Minnesota doesn't re-sign Darnold by March 4, they could place a franchise tag on him, which could allow McCarthy to develop for one more year behind Darnold. The Vikings also still have former Giants QB Daniel Jones, so if Darnold leaves in free agency, Jones would be an insurance policy in case the team doesn't feel McCarthy is ready to start early in the 2025 season.

Tuesday, February 18, 9:57 AM

The Associated Press' Stephen Hawkins reports that University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward, who many project to be taken with one of the first picks in the 2025 NFL draft, hasn't decided if he will throw at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis next week. Ward has taken a lot of heat for not playing in the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl in a 42-41 loss to Iowa State in December, but he also broke the Division 1 record for career touchdown passes (156) before halftime and won the Davey O'Brien award on Monday for the nation's best QB. He finished his college career with 158 TD passes, and his 18,189 passing yards were third-most in NCAA history behind only Case Keenum and Dillon Gabriel. Ward set single-season school records at Miami in 2024 for yards, completions (305), TD passes (39) and completion percentage (67.2%).