Who Should I Start? Josh Johnson or J.J. McCarthy


Week 1 Projections

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Josh Johnson News

Bengals Release Veteran Quarterback Josh Johnson

Sunday, August 30, 9:05 AM

The Cincinnati Bengals released veteran quarterback Josh Johnson on Sunday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The end of the line could be coming for the 40-year-old journeyman QB who has spent time with the Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, and Cleveland Browns over the course of his 10 NFL seasons since being drafted in the fifth round by Tampa back in 2008 from the University of San Diego. If Johnson does latch on with another squad before the start of the 2026 campaign, he will merely be veteran QB depth with a path to a starting role very unlikely. He played in five games (two starts) with the Commanders last year and threw for 372 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on 54 passing attempts. Johnson has a 58.7% career completion percentage with 2,669 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions in 50 games (11 starts).


Week 1 Projections

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Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
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TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

J.J. McCarthy News

J.J. McCarthy Demoted to Third-String Role

Wednesday, September 9, 10:51 AM

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters on Wednesday that veteran quarterback Carson Wentz is the backup to starter Kyler Murray and that J.J. McCarthy is the third-stringer to open the 2026 season, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. It will be a week-to-week evaluation. "This gives us the best chance to win," O'Connell said. The writing was on the wall for the 23-year-old former first-rounder from Michigan when the Vikings signed Murray to a one-year deal this offseason in free agency. McCarthy lost out in the training camp QB battle to Murray, and after struggling in the preseason and getting banged up, he will enter his third year in the NFL as the team's QB3. In his first full season as the Vikings' starter in 2025, McCarthy only played in 10 games due to various injuries and struggled with his accuracy, completing 140 of his 243 pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. McCarthy's best path back to fantasy relevance in dynasty/keeper leagues might be a trade out of Minnesota at this point.


Josh Johnson vs. J.J. McCarthy

Still trying to decide between Johnson and McCarthy? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Josh Johnson is projected to score 0.0 points this week while J.J. McCarthy is projected to score 0.0 points.