Who Should I Start? Shane Buechele or J.J. McCarthy

Wednesday, January 29, 9:32 PM

According to Alec White of the team, the Buffalo Bills have re-signed quarterback Shane Buechele (neck) to a one-year deal. The Texas native spent the entirety of the 2024 season on injured reserve with a neck injury he sustained in the preseason and was previously a member of the Bills' practice squad in 2023. Buechele went undrafted out of SMU in 2021 and was signed by Kansas City, though he never recorded a snap. He'd then get a year off in 2022 before finding his way to Buffalo the following season. The 27-year-old's collegiate profile is nothing of note, brandishing one season with more than 3,100 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. However, his familiarity with Buffalo's system makes him a valuable emergency option should anything happen to the players ahead of him. He'll now attempt to work his way to their 53-man roster in 2025.

Monday, February 10, 12:10 PM

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee), who missed all of his rookie year in the NFL after having knee surgery for a torn right meniscus, is expected to be ready for organized team activities this spring. He should be able to return to football activities in the next couple of weeks. However, the Vikings are still considering all of their options with impending free-agent QB Sam Darnold, who had a career year in Minnesota on a one-year deal in 2024. If Minnesota doesn't re-sign Darnold by March 4, they could place a franchise tag on him, which could allow McCarthy to develop for one more year behind Darnold. The Vikings also still have former Giants QB Daniel Jones, so if Darnold leaves in free agency, Jones would be an insurance policy in case the team doesn't feel McCarthy is ready to start early in the 2025 season.