When Could J.J. McCarthy Make His First Start for the Vikings in 2024? A Look at Three Potential Options
When the Vikings selected J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, every Vikings fan had the same question.
When exactly will McCarthy get his first opportunity to start? Of course, it is entirely possible that we don’t see the rookie quarterback at all during the 2024 season, but if we do, here is a look at three potential matchups that could provide McCarthy with his first starting snaps.
Week 1 at New York Giants
While it seems unlikely based on comments from Vikings leadership following the draft, there still is a possibility that McCarthy wows enough during OTAs, minicamp, and training camp that he is thrust into the starting lineup immediately for the Vikings.
If so, McCarthy would get the chance to lead the Vikings in a revenge game to begin the season at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants.
Week 7 vs. Detroit Lions
The Minnesota Vikings have a brutal stretch of games to begin the 2024 season, and particularly considering T.J. Hockenson is likely to miss at least a chunk of those games, it may make the most sense to shelf McCarthy for awhile at the beginning of the season.
However, the Vikings will play their Week 5 game against the New York Jets in London this year, and then, they have an early bye in Week 6. If Darnold struggles in a starting role, McCarthy could be a post-bye reset for Minnesota and jump into the starting lineup for their Week 7 game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium.
It isn’t necessarily ideal for McCarthy’s first starting snaps to come against a very talented divisional opponent, but coming off the bye, Minnesota’s coaching staff will have the rookie prepared.
Week 13 vs. Arizona Cardinals
If McCarthy still doesn’t get his first chance to start until later on in the season, Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals offers an interesting first opportunity for the rookie QB. By that point, the Vikings will have completed a three-week road trip, and immediately afterwards, they will begin a three-week homestand.
With three consecutive games in front of the home crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium, this could be the best way for McCarthy to transition into a starting role at the NFL level. It also offers intriguing matchups against Kirk Cousins’ new team, the Atlanta Falcons, as well as Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.
