The Minnesota Vikings are going to be one of the more intriguing teams in the National Football League in 2024. The entire league is going to be keeping an eye on them to see when quarterback J.J. McCarthy will get his first start.
Earlier this month, we took a look at the most likely games McCarthy could see his first start. That is obviously without predicting something like injuries because that changes everything.
Our own Vinnie Iyer at The Sporting News predicted when each rookie quarterback will get their first start and he believes McCarthy will start from day one.
Darnold didn't inspire much with Kyle Shanahan during his lone 49ers season, so there's no great vibe he can look like the better Week 1 option in O'Connell's passing game. McCarthy's smarts, toughness, and ceiling add up to him being out there starting at the Giants in Week 1 on Sept. 8.
It's interesting that Iyer put this out there because there isn't a lot of real discussion about McCarthy starting right away. One of the reasons why Iyer believes McCarthy can start in week one is the early momentum in learning Kevin O'Connell's offense.
McCarthy has some early momentum after showing he has a good grasp of Kevin O'Connell's offense. Minnesota officials also have been tied to the former Michigan QB performing well in their scheme for a while, well before he was drafted. Sam Darnold does have the coaching staff connection with Josh McCown, and there will be some feeling that Darnold, making $10 million for the season, was paid to be a bridge.
But McCarthy can keep accelerating his absorption, and O'Connell can feel comfortable turning to him after the preseason because Minnesota has such a strong offensive line, running game, and receiving corps. Aaron Jones, Justin Jefferson, and Jordan Addison will be in the mix taking pressure off McCarthy behind left tackle Christian Darrisaw. Tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) should be healthy soon enough to be a strong additional security blanket.
Everything with McCarthy will depend on whether or not he can progress fast enough to get the start right away. It also matters whether O'Connell thinks that he's ready because they are in this for the long haul and will not rush things with McCarthy.
Throughout the offseason, stay glued to The Sporting News as we break down everything with McCarthy's development.
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