After losing four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency, the Minnesota Vikings may have ensured a soft transition by taking University of Michigan signal-caller J.J. McCarthy in last month’s draft.
McCarthy saw his stock rise for several weeks leading up to the draft, but it made him somewhat of a polarizing figure, and some felt he was not worthy of any of the hype that was starting to surround him.
It is unknown right now who will start at QB for Minnesota when the 2024 season starts — will it be McCarthy, or will it be Sam Darnold, the former No. 3 overall pick who signed with them as a free agent in March?
This week, it was announced they would host Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets in London for Week 5, and ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky says he feels it would be a good time for McCarthy to gain the starting job, while Marcus Spears expects McCarthy to start by then, via NFL on ESPN.
.@mspears96 believes J.J. McCarthy will be starting for the Vikings by Week 5 pic.twitter.com/AM856FfhRH
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) May 15, 2024
While some feel McCarthy will be a very good pro, others are doubtful because Michigan employed a run-heavy offense under then-head coach Jim Harbaugh.
He threw for 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns, which are modest numbers, last season, but he also completed 72.3 percent of his pass attempts and had a 167.4 passer rating.
One thing that will greatly help him is the fact that Minnesota has great offensive weapons.
They boast Justin Jefferson, arguably the NFL’s best wide receiver, as well as an excellent WR2 in Jordan Addison and star tight end T.J. Hockenson.
The post Marcus Spears Predicts When J.J. McCarthy Will Start For Vikings appeared first on The Cold Wire.