Who Should I Start? Jimmy Garoppolo or J.J. McCarthy

Monday, March 10, 1:04 PM

Free-agent quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is signing back with the Los Angeles Rams on a one-year deal, according to ESPN. The 33-year-old signed with Los Angeles last offseason to back up Matthew Stafford and will return in that role for the 2025 campaign. Garoppolo has thrown for 15,828 yards, 96 touchdowns, and 52 interceptions in 82 career games with the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Rams. He appeared in one game last season, posting 334 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. While Jimmy G won't see significant playing time barring a Stafford injury, he's worth stashing in deeper Superflex or two-QB formats. If Stafford has to miss any time next season, Garoppolo would be throwing to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams and could have low-end QB1 upside.

Tuesday, June 17, 12:07 PM

There are plenty of question marks surrounding Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick last year, after he missed his rookie season in 2024 with a torn right meniscus in his knee. However, ESPN's Kevin Seifert writes that McCarthy's arm strength has been fine after it was a topic of discussion going into the 2024 draft. "He definitely has an arm," receiver Justin Jefferson said. "That's for sure. He can definitely zip it whenever he needs to." His arm has looked especially lively on throws down the middle of the field, and McCarthy is starting to learn to vary his throws after Jefferson noted last summer that the rookie tended to throw every ball the same way -- hard and straight. With no threats to the starting job under center, the 22-year-old is Minnesota's clear starting QB going into 2025 and has some of the best weapons in the league. He's a QB2 with upside in fantasy.