J.J. McCarthy is set to make his first NFL start under the lights of Monday Night Football. McCarthy takes over a team expected to be a playoff contender after going 14-3 a season ago. It's a rare scenario that sees the Vikings switch quarterbacks after such a successful season, moving from Sam Darnold to McCarthy.
As the Vikings look to return to the postseason this year, McCarthy is the main question mark surrounding the team, simply because he has not played after missing his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus. Though Darnold had a breakout season with Minnesota in 2024, McCarthy has been the Vikings' plan for the future since they picked him No. 10 in the 2024 NFL draft. On Monday, he'll take the field for the first time for Minnesota.
