J.J. McCarthy is “more than likely” to start the Vikings’ second preseason game this Saturday, a move that absolutely nobody saw coming this quickly after Minnesota traded up for him.
Kyler Murray Takes a Seat, McCarthy Steps Up
Kyler Murray is taking a seat for Saturday’s home game against the Ravens, head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed. This decision follows two days of intense joint practices the Vikings just wrapped up with Baltimore. And who’s getting the nod to open the game in Murray’s place? It’s “more than likely” J.J. McCarthy. Hold up, didn’t O’Connell name Murray the Week 1 starter over a week ago? Yeah, he did! And McCarthy is still officially listed as No. 2 on that depth chart. But O’Connell made sure to add that he wants “those guys feeling like they’re competing.” What a curveball! It means even though Murray has the starting gig locked for Week 1, the competition for that backup spot , and maybe even the future starting role , is wide open. You gotta love that fire from a coach, right?
This Is NOT Where We Expected J.J.
Now, let’s talk about J.J. himself. For anyone who watched the draft, this isn’t exactly where most people expected McCarthy to be right now. The Vikings traded up in the first round of the 2024 draft just to get him, and many thought he’d be pushing for the starting job way harder by now, or at least be a clear-cut No. 2 without this back-and-forth talk. This Saturday’s start, even in a preseason game, is a massive chance for him. His path to becoming a permanent starter in Minnesota is clear as day, according to O’Connell’s own words: he’s gotta keep putting in solid work, bide his time, and wait for that opening. Whether it’s an injury to Murray or simply ineffectiveness on the field, that’s his shot at proving himself in meaningful games. Oh, and yeah, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer are also on the roster as backup options, but let’s be real, this weekend is all about J.J.
So, mark your calendars for Saturday, Minnesota fans. This isn’t just another preseason game. This is J.J. McCarthy’s moment to show everyone what he’s made of. Every single snap is a test, every throw a statement. You know the coaching staff, and every single person in that organization, will be glued to his performance. Let’s see if he seizes this opportunity and makes some noise!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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