J.J. McCarthy vs Sam Darnold: Who Should You Start?
This is a genuine coin flip on paper. J.J. McCarthy finished the 2025 season at 13.7 PPG over 10 games with the Minnesota Vikings, while Sam Darnold clocked in at 14.7 across 17 appearances for the Seattle Seahawks. A 1.0-point gap means any given week could go either way.
With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.
Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. J.J. McCarthy threw for 1632 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Sam Darnold posted 4048 yards and 25 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.
One scheduling note: J.J. McCarthy is off Week 6 and Sam Darnold Week 10. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.
