Vikings fans could get an early preseason look at J.J. McCarthy

The Vikings play only one preseason game at home, on Aug. 10, and it could provide a rare glimpse of rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
May 16, 2024 at 6:52AM
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy hands off the ball to running back DeWayne McBride during a rookie minicamp practice May 10. (Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The way the Vikings’ preseason schedule sets up, fans might not need to wait long to see J.J. McCarthy.

The Vikings begin their three-game exhibition schedule at home on Aug. 10, with a 3 p.m. game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. It could give fans an early look at McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft who’s expected to get time to learn before taking over the starting job.

If that’s the case, he might not play until later in the 2024 regular season, if at all, which would mean his initial exposure to Vikings home games could be one of his few as a rookie.

After the Raiders game, the Vikings will travel to Cleveland for an Aug. 17 matchup that’s expected to be preceded by two days of joint practices with the Browns, where coach Kevin Stefanski will face the team that employed him for 14 years.

The Vikings will finish the preseason in Philadelphia on Aug. 24, taking on the Eagles in a noon game before final roster cuts.

The Vikings will play just eight regular-season home games at U.S. Bank Stadium, though they technically have nine on their schedule, counting their Oct. 6 game against the New York Jets in London.

Vikings preseason schedule

Saturday, Aug. 10, vs. Las Vegas, 3:05 p.m., Fox 9

Saturday, Aug. 17, at Cleveland, 3:25 p.m., Fox 9

Saturday, Aug. 24, at Philadelphia, Noon, Fox 9

about the writer

Ben Goessling

Sports reporter

Ben Goessling has covered the Vikings since 2012, first at the Pioneer Press and ESPN before becoming the Star Tribune's lead Vikings reporter in 2017. He was named one of the top NFL beat writers by the Pro Football Writers of America in 2024, after honors in the AP Sports Editors and National Headliner Awards contests in 2023.

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