ESPN's Marcus Spears predicts which Vikings QB will start vs. Giants in Week 1

Less than two weeks ago, it didn't seem there was going to be much of a debate about which quarterback the Minnesota Vikings would select as their starter for the team's 2024 regular-season opener against the New York Giants.

But after several training camp practices, Vikings rookie signal-caller J.J. McCarthy has already done enough to convince some people that he deserves to be the team's Week 1 starter over veteran quarterback Sam Darnold.

Minnesota still has to play three preseason games before taking on the Giants on September 8th, but it says a lot about McCarthy that his performance in training camp has already shifted the beliefs of some people who might have assumed after this year's OTAs that he would begin the 2024 campaign as the team's QB2.

ESPN's Marcus Spears predicts if J.J. McCarthy or Sam Darnold will start for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 vs. the New York Giants

No other quarterback in the history of the Vikings has been drafted with a higher selection than McCarthy, so it's easy to understand why the team's fan base is eager to see him get out on the field.

But Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell and other members of the organization have made their intentions with the rookie passer very clear during the last few weeks.

O'Connell and the Vikings are in no rush to get McCarthy on the field before they believe he is ready. But if he's able to do enough during the rest of training camp and the preseason to prove to Minnesota's coaching staff that he deserves a legitimate shot to start in Week 1, then the team isn't going to hold him back from that either.

As for what some people outside of the Vikings locker room think might happen with the team's quarterback situation before the regular-season opener, ESPN's Marcus Spears recently gave his thoughts on the topic.

During Wednesday's episode of "NFL Live" on ESPN, Spears shared who he thinks Minnesota will select to start under center for its Week 1 matchup against New York in a few weeks.

"It'll be J.J. McCarthy. Look, Sam Darnold is there, and [he's] got a veteran presence that can come in and [be the] backup and have some success if the young fella struggles. But this was all bunched together.

You got a top 10 pick with Kevin O'Connell, his first time being able to draft [a quarterback after] removing Kirk Cousins, and also you [extended] Justin Jefferson, and it was a big topic of conversation.

...I think they got the [right] quarterback in J.J. McCarthy. I think he'll be the starter."

As we enter August, many who have attended this year's Vikings' training camp would argue that Darnold still currently has the edge to start over McCarthy in the team's regular-season opener against the Giants.

But the gap between the two has certainly closed a bit since the start of training camp, and if McCarthy continues to make the most of his opportunities in the next few weeks, then it's probably going to be hard for Minnesota to keep him on the bench against New York in Week 1.

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