Randy Moss proposes what Vikings should do with J.J. McCarthy in 2024

The Minnesota Vikings have a detailed plan for the development of J.J. McCarthy in his rookie season. But if it were up to Vikings legend Randy Moss, he would start the team's 2024 first-round pick in Week 1.

Appearing on "Up & Adams" with FanDuel TV’s Kay Adams, Moss disagreed with Adams’s assessment that it would be best to sit and learn behind Sam Darnold next season.

After asking about Adams’s opinion, Moss explained that he believes that McCarthy should be the starter in Week 1 against the New York Giants.

“My thing is, when we played, the first three guys that [were] drafted, they're playing. There’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Now the fourth, fifth, and sixth-round [rookies], we’ll see. They may or may not see the field, [they’re] maybe a special teamer.

First three rounds back then, we played. Now you’re drafting guys [in the] first round [who are] not even seeing the field. So, you asked me the question, I don’t care if he’s not ready. He needs to be out there.”

Should the Minnesota Vikings start rookie QB J.J. McCarthy in Week 1 like Randy Moss believes they should?

Many believe that McCarthy could be brought along slowly in his first year in the NFL. Darnold was signed to a one-year, $10 million deal earlier this offseason to replace Kirk Cousins after he left and signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons. However, McCarthy is the long-term answer at the quarterback position after being selected with the 10th overall pick in April’s NFL Draft.

But while McCarthy was the highest quarterback drafted in Vikings history, his path to the NFL was different than most. McCarthy played in a run-heavy offense under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, and while the playbook did have some pro concepts, it also limited the young quarterback's opportunities to make plays.

There’s also the nature of Minnesota's offense under head coach Kevin O’Connell, which had former Vikings receiver Adam Thielen’s brain “swimming” and Cousins resorting to flashcards before becoming comfortable with the scheme in the middle of the 2022 season.

With Darnold also admitting that he’s working to learn the footwork and the terminology associated with O’Connell’s offense, it could be that much harder for a rookie. Then again, it’s not impossible for McCarthy to start in Week 1.

Last year, C.J. Stroud started Week 1 for the Houston Texans and went on to win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Going further back, Ryan Tannehill was considered to be a longshot to win the starting job for the Miami Dolphins in 2012 before winning the job in training camp.

With Darnold’s history as a starter, it wouldn’t be inconceivable for McCarthy to win the job and start Week 1. But it will take an impressive performance in training camp, even if Moss believes the job should be his entering the season opener against the Giants.

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