Randy Moss stresses specific need for Vikings to start J.J. McCarthy in Week 1

Going into the 2024 season, the Minnesota Vikings have a conundrum at the quarterback position. Sam Darnold is set to be the starting quarterback in week one after performing very well during the offseason program. Eventually, the job will have to go over to 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.

The big question surrounding the franchise is when McCarthy will be taking over the starting job. Some believe he should sit the entire season while others will contend McCarthy should start right away.

Different eras have different opinions on the matter and that's where former Vikings wide receiver and Hall of Famer Randy Moss comes into play. He spoke to Kay Adams on her show "Up & Adams" on Monday and he contends that McCarthy should start in week one.

“When we played, the first three guys that [were] drafted, they’re playing. There’s no if, ands, or buts about it,” Moss told Kay Adams on “ Up & Adams ” on July 15. “Now, the fourth, fifth, and sixth round? We’ll see. They may or may not see the field; maybe a special teamer. First three rounds back then, we played. Now you’re drafting guys first round, they’re not even seeing the field. So you ask me a question, yeah, … I don’t care if he’s not ready. He needs to be out there Week 1.”

Let's break this down. Moss contends that first round picks play right away no ifs, ands or buts. Overall, he's not wrong, but during his second year, first-round pick quarterback Daunte Culpepper played just a few snaps when a game late in the season was out of reach.

Even in his day, it's a case-by-case basis. However, McCarthy could benefit from playing right away from day one. It all depends on the mental fortitude he has. Can McCarthy handle failure well? Will he be able to keep pushing forward after making multiple mistakes in a game? There is no reason for us to believe he can't, but many talented players have allowed early failures to get to them and it has derailed careers.

What will the Vikings end up doing with McCarthy? Training camp will tell us a lot.

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