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

Thursday, January 9, 5:51 PM

Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis (thumb) returned to a full practice session on Thursday after he was limited on Wednesday. Jordan Love (elbow) was also limited on Wednesday and a full-go on Thursday, so both signal-callers should be ready to roll for the wild-card playoff game on Sunday in Philadelphia against the Eagles. Willis is dealing with a right-thumb injury that he apparently picked up on Sunday when he came on in relief of Love in the loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears in the Week 18 regular-season finale. The 25-year-old made two starts earlier this year when Love was sidelined with an injury and has appeared in seven games total, going 40-for-54 for 550 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Willis has been serviceable in limited duty for the Packers but won't carry any fantasy value into the postseason with Love looking good to go.

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.