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Minnesota Vikings Insiders Reveal Bold Prediction For Rookie QB J.J. McCarthy In 2024

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Evan Massey | Last updated 5/20/24

As the 2024 NFL season continues to draw closer, the Minnesota Vikings are becoming a very interesting team to keep an eye on. After losing Kirk Cousins in free agency, there are a ton of questions about the quarterback situation for Kevin O’Connell to begin the year.

Sam Darnold was added in free agency to be a potential starter. He has shown signs of major development in recent years with the San Francisco 49ers. The Vikings are very comfortable with the idea of starting him under center in Week 1.

Following the move to sign Darnold, the Vikings brought in their long-term franchise quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. They were able to add J.J. McCarthy to the roster.

Fans are wondering when McCarthy will play during his rookie season. We are starting to get some idea of when that could happen from the insiders and reports surrounding the Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings Insiders Reveal Bold Prediction For J.J. McCarthy

Ben Goessling and Rand Ball of Access Vikings recent took a look at when J.J. McCarthy is likely to hit the field. They think that he will become the starter in Week 12 when the team begins a three-game home stand.

Per @BenGoessling and @RandBall via @AccessVikings, given how the schedule is laid out, they both believe #Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy will likely start week 12 with the 3-game homestand against the #Cardinals, #Falcons, and #Bears

They both also fully expect a McCarthy vs. Kirk… pic.twitter.com/dNirhsQqfZ

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) May 19, 2024

McCarthy is going to be a very interesting young player to watch develop. There are some who believe that he will end up being a bust. Others believe that he has legitimate star potential for the future.

During the 2023 season with the Michigan Wolverines, McCarthy ended up leading his team to a National Championship. He completed 72.3 percent of his pass attempts for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns, and four interceptions. McCarthy also picked up 202 yards and three more touchdowns on the ground.

While there are some concerns about the Minnesota Vikings’ rookie and his arm ability, he has shown flashes of having an elite arm. He’ll need to prove that he can translate to the NFL, but there is no question that he has the talent and potential to become a special quarterback at the professional level.

It will be interesting to see how the Vikings look in 2024. Are they going to be a potential contender in the NFC? Or, will they need a year or two to get young players like McCarthy developed?

Only time will tell, but there are major reasons for optimism surrounding the Minnesota Vikings. A lot of that optimism has to do with the potential that McCarthy brings to the franchise.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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