Who Should I Start? Malik Willis or J.J. McCarthy

Tuesday, August 19, 12:31 PM

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that backup quarterback Malik Willis will play in the preseason finale on Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks. The Packers also plan on playing some or most of their starters, at least for a little bit. We would be surprised if starting QB Jordan Love (thumb) plays this weekend after having a minor surgery on his left (non-throwing) thumb last week. The 26-year-old Willis went 6-for-14 for 83 yards on the first three possessions of the second preseason game last weekend against the Indianapolis Colts. Love is fully expected to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September, so Willis is primed to open the season as Green Bay's backup signal-caller. The former third-rounder by the Tennessee Titans in 2022 played in seven games in his first year with the Packers in 2024 and led the team to two wins with Love sidelined by injury.

Tuesday, October 14, 11:14 AM

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that he is focused on "building that foundation back up" when discussing quarterback J.J. McCarthy's (ankle) fundamentals, per Alec Lewis of The Athletic. McCarthy returned to practice on Monday for the first time since injuring his ankle in Week 2. However, he has not yet officially been named Minnesota's starter in Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Lewis reports that McCarthy's health and the team's confidence in his throwing mechanics are both hurdles that he needs to overcome before taking the field. If McCarthy remains out of action in Week 7, veteran Carson Wentz (shoulder) would likely make his fourth straight start against Philadelphia. However, Wentz suffered a shoulder injury in Week 5 before Minnesota's Week 6 bye that puts his availability in question. Fantasy managers will need to check back later this week for an update on the Vikings' quarterback situation in Week 7.