Jalen Hurts vs J.J. McCarthy: Who Should You Start?
If you are choosing between Jalen Hurts and J.J. McCarthy for your lineup, you are not alone. Jalen Hurts finished the 2025 season at 19.1 PPG for the Philadelphia Eagles (16 games), and J.J. McCarthy averaged 13.7 for the Minnesota Vikings (10 games).
That 5.4-point weekly advantage for Jalen Hurts is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.
Jalen Hurts offers meaningful rushing upside with 421 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like J.J. McCarthy (1632 passing yards, 11 touchdowns). In games where the passing matchup looks ugly, that rushing production can be the entire difference on a start/sit call.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jalen Hurts sits Week 5 while J.J. McCarthy is off Week 6. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
