The Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback situation has become a focal point for fantasy football managers as the 2025 season unfolds.
J.J. McCarthy, the promising “rookie” who was expected to take over the starting role, has encountered an unexpected setback that will sideline him for several weeks, leaving Minnesota to start backup Carson Wentz.
This development has significant implications for both dynasty and redraft leagues, forcing managers to reassess their quarterback strategies. The timing couldn’t be more challenging, as the Vikings face a brutal upcoming schedule that makes McCarthy’s fantasy return increasingly uncertain, especially with the opponents the Vikings have coming soon.
J.J. McCarthy Fantasy Outlook
A Week 2 high ankle sprain is expected to cost J.J. McCarthy between two and four weeks, including Minnesota’s Week 6 bye after he got dinged up against the Falcons.
I expect the Vikings to take a very cautious approach with a quarterback they hope to build a long-term winner around. Not only is the Michigan product coming off a knee injury that cost him his rookie season, but the NFC North isn’t exactly up for grabs at the moment — Detroit just took down a powerful Baltimore squad, and the Packers’ offense is rolling.
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Dynasty managers need to find a replacement, while redraft managers who stashed McCarthy as an upside backup can feel free to move on. Even if he returns after the bye, the Eagles, Chargers, Lions, and Ravens all await Minnesota in Weeks 7-10.
This season will be viewed as a success if McCarthy can return and get reps, but there’s no reason to assume that high-end fantasy production will occur at any point in 2025.
The Vikings will continue to bet on 32-year-old Carson Wentz to steady the ship for now, something that fantasy managers are right to be wary of. Still, the former Eagle didn’t perform horribly against Cincinnati in Week 3. He completed 14 of his 20 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns in a rout of the Bengals.
This week, Wentz will be under center again, this time in Dublin, Ireland, against the Pittsburgh Steelers. While it is unknown whether McCarthy will join the team across the pond, he has valuable time to recover and learn from Wentz, who won Super Bowl LII with Philadelphia.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Kyle Soppe