Who Should I Start? Justin Fields or J.J. McCarthy

Friday, November 21, 10:24 AM

Heading into their Week 12 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, the New York Jets announced that veteran Tyrod Taylor will be taking over for Justin Fields as the team's starting quarterback. The demotion is the next rough patch in what's been a rocky first season in New York for Fields. Across nine games, the 26-year-old has completed 62.7% of his pass attempts for 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception. While Fields remains a threat with his legs (383 rushing yards, four touchdowns), he's averaged a career-low 6.2 yards per pass attempt while taking a sack on 11.7% of his drop-backs. Unless Taylor were to get injured, Fields is not expected to be re-inserted as the Jets' starter this season. It remains to be seen whether Fields will stay in New York for the 2026 season or if he will get another shot to be a starter elsewhere, but he's unlikely to carry fantasy value in redraft leagues for the remainder of 2025.

Monday, November 24, 2:15 PM

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (concussion) has entered the league's concussion protocol after reporting symptoms following a Week 12 loss to the Packers. McCarthy was evaluated on Sunday night by the team's training staff and doctors, who then made the decision to place him into protocol. The Vikings will travel to Seattle for a Week 14 matchup with the Seahawks, and McCarthy will now need to clear protocol if the team hopes to have him available. Should he miss any time, the Vikings will turn to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer. On the surface, this would seem to be a blow to the fantasy value of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and the rest of the Vikings offense, but with McCarthy averaging fewer than 155 passing yards per game in six starts, while throwing 10 interceptions to only six touchdowns, any dip should be negligible. Fantasy managers should continue to trot out their underperforming stud receiver based on talent alone.