Who Should I Start? J.J. McCarthy or Jaxson Dart

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.

Friday, May 30, 5:14 PM

The New York Giants have signed rookie first-round quarterback Jaxson Dart to a four-year contract, per Dan Salomone of Giants.com. The financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed. Dart was the Giants' second selection in the first round (No. 25 overall) and joins four of his other seven draft mates to ink their rookie deal. It was recently noted that the Ole Miss product would sit his entire rookie season if "all goes well," per ESPN's Jordan Raanan. Still, it's unclear how long a leash fellow signal-callers Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson will be given in their first season with the team. The Giants don't need to rush Dart onto the field. In fact, it'd likely behoove them more to do the opposite -- develop him the proper way behind a veteran (or two) for a year or two.