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Vikings emerge as 'overwhelming favorite' to land Kyler Murray after Cardinals release: report

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:50:00 -0400

Kyler Murray’s time with the Arizona Cardinals is officially over after the team released him at the start of the new league year Wednesday.

Murray is now a free agent who can speak with any team who may want his services in 2026 and beyond. But it looks like one team is going to be heavily pursuing the former No. 1 overall pick.

The Minnesota Vikings, despite having 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy entering his third season with the club, are the "overwhelming favorite" to sign Murray, according to ESPN.

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McCarthy, who didn’t play his rookie year due to a season-ending injury in the preseason, got his first taste of regular-season NFL football in 2025. But McCarthy struggled despite a 6-4 record in 10 games. Injuries cost him time yet again.

With McCarthy’s status uncertain in Minnesota, it appears head coach Kevin O’Connell and the rest of the organization are looking for a veteran who could possibly step in while McCarthy develops.

Murray could be that signal-caller after a roller-coaster seven-year tenure with Arizona, going 38-48-1 in 87 games. He apologized to Cardinals fans last week, confirming the team’s intentions to release him despite still owing him $36.8 million in guaranteed money from his five-year, $230.5 million extension he signed in 2022.

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"To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you," Murray wrote on X. "I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77-year drought for this organization, I am sorry I failed us. I wish this community and my brothers nothing but the best.

"I am no stranger to adversity, I am prepared for whatever’s next. I trust in God and my work ethic. I truly believe my best ball is in front of me and I look forward to proving it. Godspeed."

Murray, 28, has had an up-and-down NFL career thus far, and injuries and inconsistent play have been a storyline he couldn’t shake despite games when he proved why the team loved him as the first overall pick.

Last season, Murray went 2-3 in his five games, throwing for six touchdowns and three interceptions before a foot injury knocked him out the rest of the way. Jacoby Brissett, who figures to take over as the team’s starter in the second year of the two-year deal he signed last offseason with the franchise, took over for Murray and thrived despite what the record said. He threw for a career-high 3,366 yards with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

The Cardinals, though, finished 3-14, and the franchise went in a different direction and fired head coach Jonathan Gannon. Mike LaFleur, who served as the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator, is his replacement heading into 2026.

Early in his Cardinals tenure, Murray was a player to build around after making back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2020 and 2021, the latter of which he threw for 3,787 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 423 yards with five scores on the ground. He also rushed for 819 yards with 11 rushing scores in 2020, a part of his game that made him so electric.

Injuries, though, have hampered Murray’s career, including a torn ACL in Week 14 of the 2022 season that resulted in him missing nine games in 2023. Then, after a full 17-game season in 2024, he injured a foot.

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With quarterback-needy teams like the Miami Dolphins (Malik Willis) and New York Jets (Geno Smith) already filling their depth chart earlier this week, the Vikings seem to be the best option if Murray is looking for a fresh start with a chance to make the playoffs.

It’s also worth noting the Pittsburgh Steelers still don’t have a starting quarterback for next season as they seemingly await word on what Aaron Rodgers wants to do in 2026.

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Vikings star leaves game after suffering hand injury during turnover

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 15:02:28 -0500

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy exited Sunday’s game against the New York Giants with a hand injury, which he apparently suffered on a turnover in the second quarter.

McCarthy dropped back to pass and was immediately hit by Giants linebacker Brian Burns. The veteran defender forced a fumble and Giants defensive back Tyler Nubin picked the ball up and scored a touchdown.

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The second-year quarterback had his hand checked out on the sideline and appeared to be in pain. He went to the locker room before the half was finished. The Vikings had a 13-10 lead at the time.

McCarthy was 9-of-14 with 108 passing yards and an interception. He scored a rushing touchdown in the second quarter to help the Vikings take a 10-point lead at the time.

Injury issues have plagued McCarthy throughout the season. He suffered a high ankle sprain during the team’s Week 2 loss against the Atlanta Falcons. He didn’t return to the field until Week 9 against the Detroit Lions.

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He also missed the team’s Week 13 game against the Seattle Seahawks with a concussion.

McCarthy had shown flashes of brilliance during the season but his inability to connect with star wide receiver Justin Jefferson had been a befuddling question mark throughout the season. The Vikings entered Week 16 with a 6-8 record.

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Max Brosmer came into the game for McCarthy.

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Vikings' JJ McCarthy irritates head coach with celebration on his way into end zone

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 14:17:34 -0500

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy scored three touchdowns in the team’s win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, but one of them came to the chagrin of his head coach.

In the second quarter, McCarthy and the Vikings lined up at the 1-yard line. He faked a handoff to running back Jordan Mason and ran to his left. He was all alone and performed the "Griddy" dance move as he scampered into the end zone.

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Apparently, it made Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell upset. He said he wouldn’t have classified the finish as "special."

"It was entertaining," O’Connell said, via ESPN. "I guess we are in the entertainment business, but I would've preferred him to show that 40 time that he likes to talk about having never run, his 40 coming out [of college], which was unique, to say the least. But as a guy who once ran a fast 40 and couldn't throw it very well, I can probably understand why quarterbacks are choosing to do that these days."

McCarthy said he did the move in practice and was told not to do it anymore.

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"So, just me being who I am, it's like, 'Oh, now I'm more enticed to do it.' But if it's that open, obviously just get in the end zone no matter what – and be coachable and do what my coach says. So yeah, I'll definitely get a minus [grade] for that," McCarthy said.

The second-year quarterback threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns. It was the best statistical game of his career so far.

Both touchdowns were thrown to Jalen Nailor. Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson had four catches for 66 yards.

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Minnesota moved to 6-8 on the season.

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Vikings' JJ McCarthy tallies 3 touchdowns, buries Cowboys' playoff chances

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 23:37:02 -0500

The Minnesota Vikings may be eliminated from the playoffs, but the Dallas Cowboys technically weren’t heading into their Sunday night matchup at AT&T Stadium.

The Cowboys’ chances are now at rock bottom after falling to the Vikings, 34-26, on Sunday night.

The Vikings are now 6-8 on the season, while the Cowboys fell to 6-7-1. And though they’re not technically eliminated, the Cowboys’ playoff chances are hanging by a thread now.

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It was an inauspicious start for the Vikings in this contest, as J.J. McCarthy's very first pass attempt was an interception, as it was tipped at the line by a blitzing Donovan Wilson and Quinnen Williams looked up and hauled it in.

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense had tremendous field position for their opening drive, and though it took 11 plays to go 35 yards, Javonte Williams was able to nail it into the end zone for the 7-0 lead.

It also wouldn’t have happened without a fake field goal, as Brandon Aubrey, one of the most trusted legs in the NFL, ran for a first down on fourth-and-4 from the Minnesota 29-yard line. However, Aubrey would come up in a not so good way later in this game.

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The Vikings were finally able to get something going after the field was flipped on their third drive when Aaron Jones was pushed out of bounds on an 18-yard reception, and the Cowboys were called for a horse collar tackle, tacking on 15 yards. On the very next play, McCarthy fired a touchdown pass to Jalen Nailor — his first of two scores in this one — to tie the game at seven apiece.

The second quarter brought about a wave of offense on both sides, as Dallas responded with Malik Davis rushing one in from a yard out, while McCarthy capped a 75-yard drive with a perfectly executed fake handoff on Dallas’ one-yard line for a walk-in touchdown.

On the ensuing drive, Aubrey, who again has one of the most reliable legs in the game, missed just his third field goal attempt of the year, this one from 51 yards out. After Will Reichard nailed one, Aubrey had some redemption before halftime, as both teams tallied 17 points.

In the second half, the Cowboys ended up with a 23-17 lead thanks to two more Aubrey field goals, but seven points is what they were hoping for. McCarthy helped make it happen with a big pass to Nailor to set up the Vikings in the red zone.

After Justin Jefferson, who struggled in this one despite the targets, didn't haul in a touchdown pass, C.J. Ham buried a one-yard touchdown to make it 24-23 after the extra point.

Prescott tried to match his second-year counterpart, but the Cowboys stalled on Minnesota’s 41-yard line. At 59 yards out, it’s well within Aubrey’s range, but he missed yet again. All four of his field goal misses this season have been from 50 yards and beyond.

Now, with the ball near midfield, the Vikings had a chance to further their lead, and they got just what they needed. On 1st-and-goal from the Dallas four-yard line, McCarthy found Nailor again, and he celebrated as the Vikings went up 31-23.

The Cowboys would turn the ball over on downs on the ensuing drive, and the Vikings saw Aaron Jones pick up multiple first downs to not only keep the clock running, but force Dallas to use all their timeouts.

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In the box score, McCarthy was 15-of-24 for 250 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, as Jordan Addison’s 58-yard catch was among some of his great throws.

For the Cowboys, Prescott was 23-of-38 for 294 yards, though he never threw a touchdown pass. CeeDee Lamb led all receivers in this game with 111 yards on six catches, but George Pickens was kept quiet for the second straight game. He had just three catches for 33 yards.

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Vikings' Max Brosmer to start vs Seahawks, becoming 19th backup quarterback to start this season

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 14:08:18 -0500

The Minnesota Vikings will be starting undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer when they play the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy remains in concussion protocol, so the team will turn to the 24-year-old Brosmer to try to get a much-needed win for the Vikings, who are 4-7 and last in the NFC North.

When Brosmer steps onto the field on Sunday, he will be the 19th backup quarterback to play this season. He will be the second backup quarterback to play for the Vikings this year, as Brosmer was the third-string quarterback behind McCarthy and Carson Wentz going into the season.

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Wentz started five games while McCarthy dealt with an ankle sprain but suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, leaving backup duties to Brosmer. Wentz suffered a litany of shoulder injuries, as the veteran dislocated his shoulder, tore his labrum, and sustained a fractured socket, which required surgery.

The Vikings are the fifth team to start three different quarterbacks this season. The New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens are the others.

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Brosmer, 24, started one season at Minnesota before signing with the Vikings after the NFL Draft. In 13 games with the Golden Gophers last season, Brosmer completed 66.5% of his passes for 2,828 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions while rushing for 71 yards and five touchdowns.

The Seattle Seahawks pose a difficult test for Brosmer in his first start, as they have the seventh-best scoring defense in the NFL (19.7 points per game) this season.

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On the opposing sideline, the Seahawks have Sam Darnold as their quarterback, who will be facing the Vikings for the first time since the team let him go in free agency despite leading them to a 14-3 record and a playoff berth last season.

The Vikings take on the Seahawks at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday.

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Vikings' JJ McCarthy enters concussion protocol after third straight loss in rollercoaster season

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 19:56:09 -0500

After a brutal game in Green Bay, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has found himself in concussion protocol.

The second-year signal caller has an uncertain status heading into Week 13, as head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed McCarthy would be in concussion protocol this week.

McCarthy reported symptoms of a concussion while on the team flight back to Minnesota following the 23-6 loss to the Green Bay Packers, per ESPN.

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If McCarthy is unable to go on Sunday, it will be undrafted rookie Max Brosmer taking over after Carson Wentz had season-ending shoulder injury earlier this season when he had to take over for McCarthy.

After missing his entire rookie campaign due to a torn meniscus, McCarthy’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster.

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The 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, McCarthy has struggled when he’s been on the field, though he’s played just six games this season after dealing with a high-ankle sprain in Week 2. McCarthy missed five straight games before returning under center.

Minnesota is mired in a three-game losing streak, with McCarthy’s latest performance against the Packers seeing just 87 yards on 12-of-19 passing with two interceptions. He was also sacked five times in the loss.

"I’ve got to be better," McCarthy told reporters after the game, per the New York Post. "I’ve got to do a lot of things better."

The Vikings are now 4-7 on the season after going 14-3 with Sam Darnold at the helm last season. It’s perhaps ironic Darnold will be facing his former team in the Seattle Seahawks this week, and McCarthy, the man he past the baton to before making his free agent decision, could potentially miss another week.

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In his first season on the field, McCarthy has thrown six touchdowns and 10 interceptions over six games. He has completed just 54.1% of his passes, while rushing in for two scores as well.

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Packers players taunt Vikings following game-sealing interception

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 16:11:38 -0500

The Green Bay Packers’ defense overwhelmed the Minnesota Vikings throughout their 23-6 victory on Sunday afternoon and got the last word in during their rivalry matchup.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy missed on a pass intended for Jalen Nailor and was intercepted by Packers safety Evan Williams with 3:43 to go in the game. Williams and the rest of his teammates celebrated the turnover by doing the Skol clap.

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The action is usually used among Vikings fans at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis to celebrate a positive. Instead, the Packers got the last laugh and were able to make quick work of their rivals.

McCarthy had two interceptions in the game – the second one was thrown to linebacker Isaiah McDuffie. The Packers sacked McCarthy five times and forced him to fumble once. Myles Price also fumbled in the game and the Packers recovered that one.

Green Bay held McCarthy to 87 passing yards. The Vikings had 93 rushing yards as a team.

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McDuffie and Warren Brinson had a half-sack each. Micah Parsons and Devonte Wyatt had two sacks each.

On offense, the Packers got a huge game from Emmanuel Wilson who showcased his talents while star running back Josh Jacobs was out with an injury.

Wilson rushed for 107 yards on 28 carries and scored two touchdowns. Packers quarterback Jordan Love was 14-of-21 with 139 passing yards. Christian Watson led the team with five catches for 49 yards.

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Green Bay improved to 6-3-1 on the year and Minnesota fell to 4-6.

Vikings place Carson Wentz on injured reserve

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 17:28:51 -0400

The Minnesota Vikings placed quarterback Carson Wentz on the injured reserve on Monday as he’s reportedly set to undergo season-ending surgery on his non-throwing shoulder.

Wentz was thrust into the starting role when J.J. McCarthy suffered a high-ankle sprain. He made his first start of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 21 and led the team to a 48-10 victory. He only led the Vikings to one more win in the four starts he made after that.

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He had 1,216 passing yards, six touchdown passes and five interceptions.

The Athletic reported that Wentz played multiple games with the injury. McCarthy is reportedly set to retake the starting job in Week 9 for the team’s game against the Detroit Lions.

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Wentz was the No. 2 overall pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2016 draft. He was a Pro Bowler for the first time in his career in 2017 and may have been the league MVP if he didn’t get hurt during the season. Nick Foles took over the starting role for the Eagles that year and led the team to a Super Bowl title against the New England Patriots.

Wentz’s career went down a different path after that season. Foles would vie for the starting job and the team would later draft Jalen Hurts, who would later take over for the foreseeable future.

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Since the 2020 season, the Vikings are his fifth team in five years. He started games for the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs.

The Vikings are 3-4 heading into Week 9 and will need to get back into the win column consistently to make a push for the playoffs.

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Expert details how latest injuries to Jayden Daniels, JJ McCarthy could hamper their abilities

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 06:38:23 -0400

Jayden Daniels isn't expected to miss much time, if any, but he may not look like his usual self right away.

Fresh off an Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign, Daniels is dealing with a sprain in his knee that Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said will keep him out of practice until Friday.

The Commanders split each of their first two games, handling the New York Giants 21-6 in Week 1 before the Green Bay Packers took care of business with a 27-18 victory three days later.

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While the Philadelphia Eagles remain the favorite to win the NFC East, the Commanders should be in the mix as long as Daniels is healthy.

However, Tom Christ, a doctor of physical therapy and founder of Fantasy Injury Team, said that Daniels' injury could show on the stat sheet, even if he's on the field.

"So, Daniels is really interesting. They are just vaguely labeling it a sprain, not telling us what tissue is sprained. If you watch the video, he lands on his shin with his knee nearly fully flexed, which is a common way to get a PCL injury, and by their terminology, it probably is Grade 1, which is not terrible at all. You can rehab that and return to play," Christ said in a recent interview with 91�� Digital.

"But what we see historically is the first couple games, the athlete looks a little bit slow, a little bit hesitant to cut off that knee and a little bit unstable. Daniels is obviously a massive rushing threat, so I would be surprised if he has the same stat-line running the ball and the same effect running the ball the first couple games after he plays. Good news is it's his left knee, so it's not going to affect his ability to push off his right leg to throw the ball. So, can still be effective, but probably not quite as effective on the ground."

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Daniels rushed for 891 yards, the ninth-most ever by a quarterback and the most by a rookie QB.

As for Minnesota Vikings starter J.J. McCarthy, his first year as a starter is not off to an ideal start. After missing his rookie season with a torn meniscus, he is now dealing with an ankle sprain.

He, too, may still deal with some lingering effects.

"The time frame of two-to-four weeks is pretty consistent with a Grade 2 high-ankle sprain, where there is some, what we call, tissue laxity or instability in the ankle," Christ said. "That should be able to get under control, but what can happen there, especially with it being his right ankle, is it can be just a little less firm when he pushes off to throw the ball. So we'll see how long he's actually out for.

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"I believe they have a bye week somewhere in there (Week 6), so a lot of people are speculating he may not return till after that, which, if that's the case, he should be fine by that point, but if they do try to really speed things up, and it's more like a two-week absence, he may have some issues pushing off that back leg initially when he's throwing."

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Vikings' JJ McCarthy expected to be out 2-4 weeks with high-ankle sprain: report

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 17:05:45 -0400

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season due to injury, and after just two games of the 2025 campaign, he’s expected to miss more time.

McCarthy is expected to be sidelined for two to four weeks due to a high-ankle sprain suffered in Sunday night’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons, according to ESPN.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday morning that McCarthy was "very sore" after the injury, and he would likely be missing Week 3’s contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are dealing with their own quarterback issues, as Joe Burrow could miss most of the regular season because surgery is needed to recover from turf toe suffered Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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"We are not planning on having [McCarthy] for Sunday," O’Connell told reporters. "I don’t see this being any kind of short-term IR thing, but I do want to see how he responds to treatment this week."

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McCarthy was sacked six times in the 22-6 loss in the Vikings’ home opener on Sunday night, and he was sacked three times in a thrilling come-from-behind victory against the Chicago Bears in his NFL debut. But McCarthy didn’t have any fourth-quarter magic this time, as he threw two interceptions and no touchdowns in a struggling performance that resulted in more than just a loss.

McCarthy missed the entire 2024 season after being selected by the Vikings in the first round, where he was expected by many to begin his rookie year in a starting role. He tore his meniscus early in training camp, which gave the keys to O’Connell’s offense to Sam Darnold, who led Minnesota to a 14-3 record. Darnold is now 1-1 to start his season with the Seattle Seahawks.

McCarthy, despite his fourth-quarter comeback in Chicago, hasn’t been the most efficient quarterback in his first two NFL starts. He has a QBR of 20.4, which ranks 32nd out of 33 qualified quarterbacks in the league to begin the 2025 season. He has completed 24 of 41 passes for 301 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions over two games.

With McCarthy sidelined, O’Connell will hand the reins to Carson Wentz, the 32-year-old who has played a backup role for the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs the last two seasons.

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The Vikings are also dealing with injury news for veteran running back Aaron Jones Sr., who suffered a hamstring injury that ended his game prematurely.

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Falcons run over Vikings to spoil home opener as JJ McCarthy struggles

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:57:21 -0400

There was no fourth-quarter magic for J.J. McCarthy in his second NFL start, as the Atlanta Falcons handled the Minnesota Vikings on the road to win their first game of the season, 22-6.

McCarthy stole a victory in Chicago last Monday after orchestrating a thrilling fourth quarter against the Bears. But the Falcons had all the answers for the young quarterback on "Sunday Night Football" to get in the win column.

McCarthy went 11-of-21 through the air for 158 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in a game where he had some chances for big plays, but he just didn’t have the right touch on his passes. With the lack of a successful run game, the Falcons were sending all types of pressure and McCarthy went down for six sacks.

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But McCarthy’s opponent, Michael Penix Jr., wasn’t having the best of games at the quarterback position either. Penix was just 13-of-21 for 135 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He also missed some throws that could’ve led to a touchdown earlier than Tyler Allgeier’s late fourth-quarter score, which was the dagger for the Falcons.

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Allgeier’s five-yard rush was the only touchdown for either team in this game, as it was a field goal battle throughout with both teams struggling to convert on red zone chances. Parker Romo, the Falcons’ new kicker as Younghoe Koo was benched after a rough week 1 performance, was up for the challenge as he knocked in all five of his field goal attempts, including his longest from 54 yards out.

Though the pass game wasn’t efficient for Atlanta, star running back Bijan Robinson picked up the slack with 143 rushing yards on 22 carries to lead the game in that category. Drake London was the leading receiver for the Falcons with 49 yards on three receptions.

For the Vikings, Justin Jefferson had 81 yards, though he caught just three passes. After McCarthy’s second interception of the game on the Vikings’ final drive, Jefferson was noticeably frustrated on the sideline, but who wouldn’t be when the offense truly clicked in the fourth quarter this past week?

McCarthy and the Vikings will hope to be more consistent from start to finish next week when they face the Cincinnati Bengals, who are expected to be without quarterback Joe Burrow after he suffered a toe injury on Sunday.

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Meanwhile, the Falcons hit the road again, but against an NFC South rival in the Carolina Panthers next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

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Vikings' JJ McCarthy delivers stunning comeback victory in first NFL start against Bears

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 23:39:12 -0400

The first three quarters weren’t pretty for Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy in his first NFL start on Monday night, but all that matters is what happens in the fourth quarter.

McCarthy led the Vikings on a thrilling comeback, scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Chicago Bears, 27-24, on the road to begin the 2025 NFL season.

Last season, McCarthy was on the sideline with a season-ending meniscus injury suffered during preseason. He watched as Sam Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record, but McCarthy knew heading into this campaign it was his turn to get the job done at quarterback in head coach Kevin O’Connell’s dynamic offense.

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McCarthy was having some trouble doing so to start this game, as the Bears’ defense, led by new coordinator Dennis Allen, was drawing up the right pressures to fluster the young signal caller. He was only able to get Will Reichard into field goal range twice in the first half, while Caleb Williams and the Bears’ offense got off to a hot start under new head coach Ben Johnson.

But crunch time in the fourth quarter, with the Vikings down 17-6, McCarthy answered the call.

It all started with a six-play drive, where McCarthy fired a bullet to the front of the end zone to find his star receiver, Justin Jefferson, for his first score of the new campaign. Then, the Vikings’ defense kept up the pressure on Williams to give McCarthy another chance at the lead with a three-and-out forced on the ensuing possession.

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McCarthy, after getting a generous defensive pass interference call, launched a perfectly placed deep ball to running back Aaron Jones for the lead, 20-17, after a successful two-point conversion.

The dagger in this come-from-behind win was a nine-play drive that ended with a 14-yard touchdown run by none other than McCarthy, who kept the ball on a third-and-1 read option from the Chicago 14-yard line. He barreled his way into the end zone, and let out a roar with his Vikings teammates all huddling around him as the score went to 27-17 with 2:53 left in the game.

Williams got off to such a hot start, running in a touchdown on the Bears’ opening drive of the game. But the Bears’ offense, expected to be upgraded with Johnson’s play-calling in place given his success with the Detroit Lions, sputtered after that. They only mustered a field goal in the second quarter, while kicker Cairo Santos missed another in the fourth.

The other touchdown scored for the Bears was a pick-six thrown by McCarthy in the third quarter which, at the time, seemed to be a total killer because of how poorly he was playing.

But it was Williams needing to run hurry-up offense late to get back into the game, and he was finally able to find the end zone again. The Bears’ drought ended with Rome Odunze wide open for the one-yard score to get the deficit down to three for Chicago with two minutes left to play.

The Bears’ defense was able to force a three-and-out on the Vikings, but there was not enough play clock left for a miracle as the Vikings celebrated their hard-fought victory on the road.

McCarthy’s first career start ended with a line of 13-for-20 for 143 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. It was also notable to see Jordan Mason getting the lion’s share of touches in the run game, totaling 15 for 68 yards, with the veteran Aaron Jones Sr. getting eight carries for 23 yards. Jones, though, was tied with Jefferson for 44 yards in the receiving game.

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For the Bears, Williams was 21-of-35 for 211 yards with his touchdown pass and rushing score. He led the Bears with 58 rushing yards on just six carries, while D’Andre Swift had 53 yards on 17 touches in the backfield. D.J. Moore also had 70 yards on just three receptions.

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Vikings tight end raves about JJ McCarthy, says quarterback 'has that switch' and 'insane' arm

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 18:58:53 -0400

The biggest question heading into training camp for the Minnesota Vikings revolves around quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the team's first-round pick who didn't get to touch the field during the regular season last year due to a torn meniscus.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell and the rest of the organization have been adamant that McCarthy, the Michigan Wolverines product, is their guy moving forward despite other options being on the table.

The team's words were backed by not signing a true veteran competitor that could overshadow McCarthy heading into the season, nor drafting a quarterback.

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After completing mandatory minicamp, McCarthy has been impressing his teammates with what he can do on the field. He was in meeting rooms and on the sidelines all last season, but now he's the guy tight end T.J. Hockenson is already excited for everyone to see what he can do.

"That's my dog," Hockenson told 91�� Digital of McCarthy while attending the fifth annual Tight End University (TEU), the three-day summit run by NFL stars Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Greg Olsen. "He is one of the best people I have been around. Just a young guy that's hungry and wants to learn, he wants to get better. I mean, he’s making a trip down here soon, and so he wants to be great in this league and I respect that and he is willing to do the things and the hard things it takes to be great."

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Hockenson truly believes McCarthy has a bright future in front of him, and he said he wants to be there "every step of the way to help him navigate and help him become who he can be" on and off the field.

But McCarthy is a year removed from competitive football, begging the question of what will the Vikings get exactly from the quarterback position.

Last season, O'Connell found all of Sam Darnold's strengths, as the ex-New York Jets third overall pick had a career season in Minnesota. Perhaps that's exactly what the Vikings are hoping happens with McCarthy as well.

Hockenson does believe he possesses what's needed to be great, though.

"He’s got that switch. He turns that on when he gets on the field," he explained. "You don’t really notice that when you're just hanging out and talking with him, but he really wants it. He really wants everything to be perfect, and he’s a perfectionist for sure, which is awesome. That is how you need to be as a quarterback in this league."

Hockenson also said McCarthy's "arm talent is insane," which was a knock by some evaluators coming out of college.

"You know, [the ball] zips on you and he can spin it. It's been a lot of fun to see him in OTAs, and [I] can't wait to get out there with him in camp and throughout the season."

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In the meantime, Hockenson returned to TEU to continue strengthening his bond with his fellow tight ends across the league. It's easy for Hockenson, who lives just 15 minutes away in the offseason, so he makes it a point to come here, get work in, and learn among his peers who also want to get better.

"Coming here and having all the guys, it's good to be around Travis, be around George. I mean, I'm around [Kittle] every day, we're around each other every day. To see some of the guys off the field, and really make the connection, really meet them outside of football it's a lot of fun. So that's what I try to get out of it every year, learning some things on the field, some tidbits, helping guys each year, and then being able to make those connections and build relationships off the field with those guys."

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Vikings' JJ McCarthy says he still has not been told he is team's starting quarterback

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:26:49 -0400

All signs point to J.J. McCarthy being the man under center for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1.

Despite a career resurgence from Sam Darnold, the Vikings decided to move on, and he went to the Seattle Seahawks.

And, as much as it appears Aaron Rodgers wants to pull the full Brett Favre and go to Minnesota, the feeling does not appear to be mutual.

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Rodgers and Russell Wilson are still available, but they don't appear to be in any rush; thus, it looks like McCarthy, whom the Vikings traded up for in 2024, will get the nod.

But, it's still a mystery to him.

McCarthy told Fanduel TV that he has not yet been told that he's the QB1.

"And I'm happy they didn't, because I try to earn it every single day. And I never want that to be given to me," McCarthy said. "It's such a privilege and opportunity to give me that chance, and I'm just going to make the most of it every single day."

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McCarthy figured to be in a competition with Darnold last year, but a knee injury in training camp kept McCarthy out for the entire season, just months after he helped Michigan to a national championship.

The Vikings went 14-3 last year, but lost the NFC North title game to the Detroit Lions, thus dropping them down to the fifth seed in the conference. They hit the road against the Los Angeles Rams but were a first-round exit.

It was a bad time for Darnold to have the worst two games of his season, but he still managed to earn $100 million from his new team as it appeared he was going to be a bust just a few years ago.

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Assuming he's the guy, McCarthy will join a stout corps of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson, with reigning Coach of the Year Kevin O'Connell on the sideline.

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Vikings rookie JJ McCarthy out for 2024 NFL season following meniscus surgery

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 14:08:58 -0400

Minnesota Vikings first-round pick J.J. McCarthy will miss the entirety of his rookie season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn right meniscus.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell made the announcement on Wednesday, saying the surgery was successful. However, doctors found a "repair was necessary which will end J.J.’s 2024 season."

So, instead of just a trim during the procedure, McCarthy needed a full repair that will require extensive rehab to get back on the field.

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McCarthy, the 10th overall pick back in April following a national championship campaign with the Michigan Wolverines, sat out of Monday’s practice with the Vikings with what was initially called knee soreness. But further tests revealed something the team did not want to see.

McCarthy was expected to be in a full quarterback battle with veteran Sam Darnold, though Darnold had been running more with the first-team offense than McCarthy early in training camp.

Darnold is now a shoo-in to start Week 1 against the New York Giants following the McCarthy news.

VIKINGS' JJ MCCARTHY SUFFERS TORN MENISCUS IN RIGHT KNEE

When news came that McCarthy needed surgery for his torn meniscus, he posted on X an optimistic message for Vikings fans.

"Love you Viking nation. I’ll be back in no time. Amor fati," he posted.

McCarthy was coming off a solid start to his rookie season after throwing for 188 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in his first preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He went 11-for-17 passing in the contest.

While Darnold was atop the depth chart for O’Connell’s squad, his draft stock rose earlier this year as he helped lead the Wolverines to a national title under Jim Harbaugh, who is now the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Since becoming a full-time starter at Michigan, McCarthy enjoyed throwing 44 touchdowns and nine interceptions with 5,710 total passing yards on a 68.5% completion rate in 29 games. Michigan went 15-0 last season on their way to the title as well.

McCarthy was hoping to hit the ground running in the NFL after finishing his collegiate career on a high note, but his true debut will have to wait until 2025.

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For now, he will need to focus on his rehab while continuing to learn the Vikings’ system with Darnold leading the way under center.

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Vikings' JJ McCarthy suffers torn meniscus in right knee

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 13:29:12 -0400

The Minnesota Vikings were hit with some brutal news regarding quarterback J.J. McCarthy on Tuesday as the rookie fought for the Week 1 starting job against Sam Darnold.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell announced that McCarthy suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee. McCarthy will undergo a procedure on his knee and will be out indefinitely, according to multiple reports.

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McCarthy wrote an optimistic message on X afterward.

"Love you Viking nation. I’ll be back in no time. Amor fati," he wrote on X.

The former Michigan standout who was fresh off of a national championship was held out of practice on Monday after what was first reported as knee soreness.

McCarthy had a solid first preseason outing last week against the Las Vegas Raiders. He threw for 188 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He was 11-for-17 passing.

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Darnold was on top of the depth chart for the quarterback job at the start of training camp given his previous history as a starter with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.

Minnesota moved up in the draft to take McCarthy at No. 10. There was plenty of speculation over where McCarthy would go as his draft stock rose in the days before the draft.

In two seasons as Michigan's full-time starter (29 games), McCarthy completed 68.5% of his passes for 5,710 yards, 44 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

He led the Wolverines to a 15-0 record in 2023 on the way to a national title.

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For now, his pro debut will be on hold.

91��’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

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Kirk Herbstreit believes Vikings' new quarterback JJ McCarthy could become 'one of the faces of the NFL'

Sat, 27 Apr 2024 06:00:25 -0400

The Minnesota Vikings selected Michigan standout J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night, and ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit believes the organization made the right call.

McCarthy, who led the Wolverines to an undefeated season and the national championship before declaring, saw a rise in his draft stock in the weeks leading up to the big night, but he ultimately fell to the No. 10 spot after the Vikings traded up to select the young signal caller.

Four other quarterbacks were taken before him, including former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who lost to Michigan in the title game.

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But during a recent episode of OutKick’s "Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich," Herbstreit praised McCarthy as the real deal, which he credited in large part to former head coach Jim Harbaugh’s offense.

"The guy’s a winner — he’s 27-1, won a national title, brought Michigan back to being Michigan, and now he goes to Minnesota. And I think if you look at [Vikings head coach] Kevin O’Connell… he’s going to put a system that’s very similar to what J.J. McCarthy did at Michigan, and I think this kid’s going to fit in perfectly."

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"I think that kid could eventually become one of the faces of the NFL. I think he’s got a chance to really take off," Herbstreit added.

The Vikings obviously saw something similar and made the move for McCarthy. They traded up with the New York Jets, handing over the No. 11 pick and a fourth and fifth-rounder in exchange for Nos. 10 and 203.

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"We knew we weren’t the only ones that had identified him as a quarterback we wanted to select," O'Connell said of the jump. "You start thinking about the what-if."

In his two full seasons as starter, McCarthy went 27-1. He set the program record with a 72.3% completion percentage and threw for 5,710 yards, 44 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Vikings trade up in NFL Draft to select J.J. McCarthy after surprising fall

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 22:06:07 -0400

Every NFL Draft, there is always a wild card. This year’s was J.J. McCarthy.

The Michigan quarterback and reigning national champion shot up draft boards in recent weeks, months after not even being considered a first-rounder to begin the 2023 college season.

Even Jim Harbaugh, his college head coach, made the bold prediction McCarthy would be the first quarterback taken off the board. But he wound up being the fifth.

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After all the rumors and speculation, McCarthy fell to the 10th pick and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings, who moved up a spot to snag him.

The New York Jets initially held the selection. But once Michael Penix Jr. was surprisingly selected at No. 8 by the Atlanta Falcons, the Vikings apparently felt they couldn't wait any longer.

Minnesota sent No. 11, a fourth-rounder and a fifth-rounder in exchange for No. 10 and 203.

In two seasons as Michigan's full-time starter (29 games), McCarthy completed 68.5% of his passes for 5,710 yards, 44 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

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Despite his name shooting up the rankings, there is still doubt whether he can carry a team. Even in the national championship, McCarthy was 10-for-18 passing for 140 yards and zero touchdowns in the 34-13 victory over Washington.

But, in maybe the biggest drive of his career during the Rose Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal, he delivered down seven to Alabama with less than five minutes to go. McCarthy completed a 27-yard pass on 4th and 2, then ran for 16 yards, found Roman Wilson for another 29, then threw a four-yard score to Wilson that sent the game to overtime. Michigan, of course, wound up winning.

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Now, he finds himself in some fairly decent company. He'll be throwing to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and, when he returns from a torn ACL, T.J. Hockenson.

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J.J. McCarthy's fiancée pens farewell to Michigan ahead of NFL Draft, 'excited' for next chapter

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:29:01 -0400

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s entire world will change Thursday night, when he’s expected to be taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

While he transitions to the pros, family, friends and loved ones will also see a shift in their lives.

McCarthy’s fiancée, Katya Kuropas, is ready to make the move from Ann Arbor to the NFL, and she penned a goodbye to Michigan on Instagram ahead of the draft.

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"Extremely delayed but… Reminiscing on how amazing this past season was," Kuropas captioned a carousel of photos from the Wolverines’ 15-0 season capped by a national title. "An abundance of blessings and the best memories. Feeling so grateful for everything that unfolded & for everyone that was part of it!! Sad to see this chapter go, but excited for the next one."

McCarthy and Kuropas made their engagement official in January after five years together.

J.J. MCCARTHY HINTS TO WHERE HE MIGHT BE TAKEN IN 2024 NFL DRAFT: ‘I HAVE SOMEWHAT OF AN IDEA'

Where exactly the next chapter will take these two remains to be seen.

McCarthy is a true wild card heading into Thursday night in Detroit, the host city of the draft. The consensus No. 1 pick is USC’s Caleb Williams, who has been projected as the Chicago Bears’ next franchise quarterback after they traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

LSU Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels and UNC’s Drake Maye are also expected to go in the top five.

McCarthy has been projected in some mock drafts to be going as high as No. 2 to the Washington Commanders and as low as No. 11 to the Minnesota Vikings. Rumors about his draft stock have been flying for months, and they’ll continue until the draft begins.

McCarthy mentioned on the "Rich Eisen Show" that he spent the most time during the pre-draft process with the New York Giants, who own the No. 6 overall pick. He thinks he could figure out head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka’s scheme quickly given his familiarity with it from his Michigan days.

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But there’s also the Commanders and New England Patriots, who pick third overall, that McCarthy visited recently. The Denver Broncos were another team he visited.

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2024 NFL Draft guide: Quarterbacks headline draft class; what to know about order

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 06:00:03 -0400

The highly anticipated 2024 NFL Draft kicks off in Detroit Thursday.

Former USC star Caleb Williams delivered one of the most prolific college football careers in recent memory, and he headlines this year's list of quarterback prospects.

Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix are the other highly touted signal-callers in this year's draft class.

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Williams is the overwhelming favorite to become the first player selected Thursday night. For the second year in a row, the Chicago Bears hold the top pick.

Where are teams picking in the first round?

The Bears acquired this year's No. 1 overall pick last year when they traded last year's top pick to the Panthers. Carolina used last year's top pick on quarterback Bryce Young. Thursday's draft order:

Chicago Bears
Washington Commanders
New England Patriots
Arizona Cardinals
Los Angeles Chargers
New York Giants
Tennessee Titans
Atlanta Falcons
Chicago Bears
New York Jets
Minnesota Vikings
Denver Broncos
Las Vegas Raiders
New Orleans Saints
Indianapolis Colts
Seattle Seahawks
Jacksonville Jaguars
Cincinnati Bengals
Los Angeles Rams
Pittsburgh Steelers
Miami Dolphins
Philadelphia Eagles
Minnesota Vikings
Dallas Cowboys
Green Bay Packers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Arizona Cardinals
Buffalo Bills
Detroit Lions
Baltimore Ravens
San Francisco 49ers
Kansas City Chiefs

Aside from the Bears, the Commanders, Patriots, Vikings and Broncos are other teams who may select a quarterback. If three quarterbacks are off the board after the first three teams make their picks, it would mark the first time since 2021 quarterbacks were the top three selections.

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New England traded Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars in March after a turbulent run over the past two seasons. He is expected to back up star quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

The Vikings lost Kirk Cousins in free agency after he signed a four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. Minnesota did sign Sam Darnold, who could get another opportunity to be a starting quarterback if the team decides to use him as a bridge in 2024. The Vikings have been linked to multiple trade rumors. If they do end up trading up Thursday, it would likely be for a quarterback.

Commanders keeping plans for second overall pick close to the vest

Washington moved on from last season's primary starter Sam Howell and backup Jacoby Brissett earlier this offseason. The Commanders did sign quarterback Marcus Mariota to a one-year deal in March, although he has mostly been a backup after a disappointing stint with the Titans.

If Williams does go No. 1, all signs point to Washington using the second pick on one of the remaining quarterbacks. But Commanders owner Josh Harris, first-year general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn have not shared many clues about their draft plans.

"We got the No. 2 pick in the draft, right? So, that's obviously a very important pick," Harris said in late March. "And we have many picks in the top 100, and we've done it that way on purpose. So, it's important for us to have a very strong draft for sure."

Quinn suggested the Commanders took a wide-ranging approach in its evaluation process.

"I know quarterback gets a lot of attention, as it should," Quinn said. "It’s a story here and everywhere. But there’s a lot of players (to evaluate) and … a lot of picks for this year’s draft."

2024 draft class features talented group of wide receiver prospects

Former Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has long been the presumptive top prospect at his position. He headlines a group of highly-touted wide receivers, while Rome Odunze and former LSU star Malik Nabers have also garnered considerable attention.

Harrison was last season's Biletnikoff Award recipient and finished the 2023 campaign with more than 1,200 receiving yards. His father, Marvin Harrison Sr., is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and was an eight-time All-Pro. The elder Harrison also won a Super Bowl during his standout tenure with the Colts.

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When does the draft begin?

The first round begins Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. The second and third rounds take place Friday, and rounds four through seven happen on Saturday.

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JJ McCarthy hints to where he might be taken in 2024 NFL Draft: 'I have somewhat of an idea'

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 21:15:54 -0400

Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, a national title winner this past collegiate season, has been the quarterback who rose up everyone’s draft board leading into Thursday night’s start of the 2024 NFL Draft.

He’s a true wild card, with rumors swirling that he could go as high as No. 2 to the Washington Commanders, or a team like the Denver Broncos or Minnesota Vikings could trade up into the top 10 to snag him.

But the New York Giants, sitting at No. 6 overall, have also been rumored to want a quarterback, even contacting the New England Patriots to see if No. 3 is available to jump up.

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Speaking on the "Rich Eisen Show" Wednesday in Detroit, McCarthy was asked by the veteran broadcaster if he has any idea where he’s heading in the Draft.

He mentioned New York right away.

"I mean, I have somewhat of an idea," McCarthy said. "New York Giants, I’ve spent the most time with. They’re a phenomenal staff — love Coach [Brian] Daboll, love [GM] Mr. [Joe] Schoen, love [quarterbacks] Coach [Shea] Tierney, [offensive coordinator] Coach Kafka — Chicago guy. Just being able to go in there, pretty much know all the install because Coach Daboll came from Alabama and Coach [Josh] Gattis came to Michigan from Alabama. So similar formations, motions, plays, all that stuff.

"Being able to get that install in was great. I met with them twice, it’s been amazing just throwing on Easter. Never did that before, but it was sweet."

Could McCarthy be inadvertently tipping the Giants’ draft plans for the first round?

The Giants didn’t expect themselves to be in a position to potentially take a quarterback after signing Daniel Jones, the No. 6 overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, to a four-year extension in March 2023.

But after struggling before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders, reports of the Giants wanting to move on — preferably by trade, but they can opt out of his contract following the 2024 season — have been palpable.

However, no one truly knows what the Giants want to do considering they would benefit from drafting an elite wide receiver as well. LSU’s Malik Nabers, Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and Washington’s Rome Odunze lead the pack there, and with multiple quarterbacks expected to go early in the draft, the Giants could have a chance to draft one of them to pair with Jones next season.

However, McCarthy spending the most time during this draft process with the Giants can’t be overlooked. He said he even used one of his three personal visits on the Giants as well.

After talking about the Giants, though, McCarthy did mention his recent visits with the New England Patriots and Washington Commanders, which were his two other personal visits.

"New England and Washington, just came from there," he told Eisen. "Just love the energy that’s in that building. You can tell the sense of urgency to rebuild, be on top and be competitive."

McCarthy quickly mentioned the Broncos and Vikings as well.

"It would be an honor to play for any of these teams, but it will just come down to — that’s the funniest thing about the process. They get to choose. I’ll be grateful wherever I go and make the most of it," he said.

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While Caleb Williams is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears, and UNC’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels are interchangeable in the top five depending on which draft expert you talk to, McCarthy’s name will certainly be one to watch Thursday night in Detroit.

As a Michigan product, McCarthy could be adding "Big" in between "Go Blue."

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Hall of Famer Kurt Warner has a 'huge question' about top NFL Draft prospect J.J. McCarthy

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 17:57:48 -0400

Every year, there always seems to be one quarterback who suddenly shoots up near the top of NFL Draft boards.

This year, it's J.J. McCarthy.

The Michigan quarterback entered the 2023 college football season on the outside looking in among potential top selections, but after a 15-0 national championship season, his stock has risen.

He may be biased, but Jim Harbaugh even said no one should "be surprised" if McCarthy is the first quarterback off the board. His name hasn't shot up that high. Caleb Williams is still the consensus No. 1 overall pick.

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But there has been lots of talk teams could trade up to the fourth slot to select McCarthy after Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye. Or the Washington Commanders could select McCarthy at No. 2.

At the very least, it's practically a foregone conclusion he will be a first-round selection next week, barring a Will Levis-esque fall. But Kurt Warner does have a concern.

The Hall of Famer says there are "definitely a bunch of things to like" about McCarthy, including "the technique by which he plays" and that he went 28-1 in his career.

"But if I’m drafting someone in the top five, I want to know that I can trust him to win games with his right arm," Warner said on ESPN's "Get Up" Friday.

"We never saw the pressure on him to have to make throw after throw after throw, week after week to carry his football team. You will have to do that in the National Football League with the way the league is built, with the talent at the quarterback position. So, that is a huge question for me because we’ve never seen it."

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Michigan didn't have to rely on McCarthy for success. Blake Corum ran for 1,245 yards and 27 touchdowns, and the Michigan defense was elite.

In the national championship, McCarthy was 10-for-18 passing for 140 yards and zero touchdowns in the 34-13 victory over Washington. However, in maybe the biggest drive of his career during the Rose Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal, he delivered down seven to Alabama with less than five minutes to go.

McCarthy completed a 27-yard pass on 4th and 2, then ran for 16 yards, found Roman Wilson for another 29, then threw a four-yard score to Wilson that sent the game to overtime. Michigan, of course, wound up winning.

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In two seasons as Michigan's full-time starter (29 games), McCarthy completed 68.5% of his passes for 5,710 yards, 44 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

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Ex-NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb raises concerns over JJ McCarthy's rising draft stock

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 06:05:54 -0400

Ex-NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb is concerned that any team that drafts former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy might be subject to buyer’s remorse.

In an interview with OutKick’s "Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich," McNabb said he was surprised by the recent rise in McCarthy’s draft stock.

"The JJ McCarthy thing is interesting to me because – I’m trying to really wrap my head around how he’s elevated to possibly being a top-six player in this draft."

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"Listen, I love what [Jim] Harbaugh was able to do at Michigan. There was a couple years ago when everyone wanted Harbaugh fired because he couldn’t beat Ohio State; and all of a sudden, he’s beating Ohio State and everybody else. Now he’s in the national championship game, but to me, J.J. McCarthy – I just see him being a guy that people three years from now are going to say, ‘Was he really worth drafting?’"

McCarthy led the undefeated Wolverines to a national championship in January, the program’s first since 1997. He threw for 2,991 passing yards, ranking fourth in a single season at Michigan, and 22 touchdowns for the second straight season. He finished his collegiate career with a 27-1 record as a starter over two years.

But McNabb isn’t impressed with those numbers alone.

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"He didn’t wow you with anything in college. And in college, you have to show that ability to be able to get the ball downfield, ad lib on plays, throw on the run, do everything that you're seeing most of these top quarterbacks get drafted so high – we didn’t see that," he explained Tuesday.

"I’ve seen a structured quarterback that ran a pro style offense where he turned around and hand the ball off to [Blake] Corum, hit his tight ends, hit his receiver [Roman] Wilson on crossing routes or maybe a seam pattern, a slant – I didn’t see him wow you with anything. And for him to be in the position they're talking about, it’s amazing to me."

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McCarthy completed pre-draft visits with the Washington Commanders, which have the No. 2 overall pick, and the New England Patriots with the No. 3 overall pick. The New York Giants, who have the No. 6 pick, have also been named among the potential landing spots.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Tiki Barber suggests JJ McCarthy’s rising draft stock is a 'smokescreen,' hopes Giants pass: 'Don’t want him'

Sat, 13 Apr 2024 09:11:38 -0400

An injury cut Daniel Jones' fifth NFL season short. The 2019 first-round draft pick ultimately appeared in six games last season.

Jones inked a four-year contract extension in 2023, but the injury and his overall disappointing performances in past seasons have put his future with the New York Giants in question. The quarterback prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft have dominated NFL offseason discussions.

While former USC star Caleb Williams is largely expected to be the first player off the board once the draft kicks off later this month, J.J. McCarthy's stock appears to continue to rise.

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McCarthy guided the Michigan Wolverines to the College Football Playoff National Championship in January, but he was widely projected as the fourth-best quarterback prospect in this year's highly anticipated draft.

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The Giants finished the season with a 6-11 record and hold the sixth overall draft pick. Some believe the Giants will use their draft pick on a quarterback, and McCarthy could be available at No. 6. However, Giants legend Tiki Barber has zero interest in watching McCarthy taking snaps at MetLife Stadium with a Giants uniform on

"Not happening. I’m just saying. Not happening," Barber said. "I don’t want him. Not happening."

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Barber argued that McCarthy's skillset would not translate to the NFL level, and suggested that his former coach, Jim Harbaugh, was driving the majority of the positive attention he was receiving.

"J.J. McCarthy thing, I’m tired of hearing it. Stop with the J.J. McCarthy thing," Barber said. "His film doesn’t say he’s a first-round quarterback. His film doesn’t say, ‘I need to get rid of all my assets and go draft this guy,’ because a lot of what he does doesn’t translate. The scheme that he ran at Michigan — and maybe this is an indictment on the scheme and not necessarily on him — but it didn’t highlight the things that you need to do, second-, third-level reads, multiple combo routes that you have to get correct. He didn’t do any of that stuff. They were run-based, and he thrived in it because he was good at — that’s what Jim Harbaugh wanted him to do.

"The J.J. McCarthy thing, to me, is a smokescreen. He’s getting inflated because Jim Harbaugh won’t stop talking about him. Now all of a sudden, he’s a top-four quarterback? I don’t buy it."

North Carolina signal caller Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels are expected to hear their names called shortly after Williams walks across the stage at the draft in Detroit. Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. also received some first-round consideration, although his injury history could give some teams pause.

While the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos remain two teams that could trade up in order to draft a quarterback, New York could also be looking for Jones' successor. Kirk Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, while the Broncos benched Russell Wilson during the season, before later releasing him.

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Michigan did lean heavily on its running backs during McCarthy's tenure, but the quarterback did show the ability to make accurate throws. He finished the 2023 season with a career-high 2,991 passing yards. He initially received multiple second- or third-round grades from draft analysis, but it now seems at least possible that McCarthy could land in the top-10.

The NFL Draft begins on April 24.

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