Who Should I Start? Lamar Jackson or J.J. McCarthy

Monday, March 31, 12:02 PM

The Baltimore Ravens have had early contract-extension talks with quarterback Lamar Jackson, and head coach John Harbaugh said that when a deal does get completed, Jackson will become the highest-paid player in NFL history. It's not that big of a surprise after Jackson came close to winning his third MVP award in 2024. The four-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro had another excellent season for the Ravens last year, throwing for a career-high 4,172 yards, career-high 41 touchdowns and only four interceptions in 17 regular-season starts while also adding 915 rushing yards on 139 attempts for another four touchdowns on the ground. Baltimore's season came to a disappointing end in the Divisional Round in a loss to the Buffalo Bills, but the 28-year-old dual-threat signal-caller was the QB1 overall in fantasy points and should be the first quarterback off the board in fantasy drafts in 2025.

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.