Who Should I Start? J.J. McCarthy or Jalen Milroe

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.

Wednesday, May 28, 1:51 PM

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said that rookie third-round quarterback Jalen Milroe will not be used in the same fashion as New Orleans Saints hybrid player Taysom Hill. Sam Darnold is the unquestioned starter under center for the Seahawks entering the 2025 season, and the plan is for Milroe to earn a chance to play in Year 1, according to The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar. The 22-year-old's role might become clearer as the team mixed in rookies with veterans during organized team activities this offseason. A two-QB system with specific packages for Milroe will take some time to fine-tune. It remains to be seen what kind of packages Milroe will be involved in, but they could be in red-zone and short-yardage situations. Either way, Milroe isn't going to have much fantasy value in redraft leagues as the backup to Darnold in 2025.