NFL Insider says Vikings are 'comfortable' with J.J. McCarthy in 2025
Vikings fans are up their necks in quarterback discussions this offseason, and we are just getting into February. Sam Darnold's emergence, along with J.J. McCarthy's injury, created a perfect storm of chaos for the Vikings.
Despite all the chaos, one NFL insider is pointing out some news that Vikings fans may be excited to hear.
Albert Breer of Monday Morning Quarterback was on The Rich Eisen Show this week during his Super Bowl coverage and shared an update on the young quarterback. Breer shared that McCarthy is 'ahead of schedule' and able to do 'just about everything.'
Breer went on to explain, 'He's going to have a full offseason. So he's not going to be limited by anything this offseason… they'd be comfortable with him as the starting QB in 2025.'
Darnold is set to become a free agent, and there have been discussions about the team placing the franchise tag on him or letting him walk. Regardless of their move, Darnold seems poised for being a security blanket for the team rather than a starter in 2025.
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Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 87
Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 87 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New Orleans Saints have 87 days until they open their 2025-26 regular season against the Arizona Cardinals. It will be the 59th NFL season for New Orleans, as they look to improve on last year's 5-12 record under new head coach Kellen Moore. Advertisement There have been 17 players to wear the number 87 for the Saints during a regular season game. The latest of which is tight end Foster Moreau, entering his third year with the team. Here's a historical look back at all Saints who have worn this number. Saints History of 87 Former New Orleans Saints great Joe Horn during his famous ''cellphone'' touchdown celebration in 2003. Credit: Bleacher Report • Monty Stickles, TE (1968) • Richard Neal, DE (1970-72) • Mike Kelly, TE (1973) • Don Herrmann, WR (1975-77) • Larry Hardy, TE (1978-85) • Malcolm Scott, TE (1987) • Lonzell Hill, WR (1987-90) • Frank Wainright, TE (1991-93) • Lee DeRamus, WR (1995-96) • John Farquhar, TE (1997-98) • Joe Horn, WR (2000-06) • Adrian Arrington, WR (2010-11) Advertisement • Tommylee Lewis, WR (2016) • Brandon Tate, WR (2018) • Jared Cook, TE (2019-20) • Lucas Krull, TE (2022) • Foster Moreau, TE (2023-present) New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lonzell Hill (87) after a reception against the Houston Oilers in 1987. Credit: Stickles was the first Saint to sport 87, catching 15 passes for 206 yards and 2 scores during the Saints second year of existence. Neal was the first player to wear 87 for multiple seasons, recording 20 unofficial sacks over a three-year stretch from 1970 to 1972. The first offensive player to wear 87 for more than one year was Herrmann. He'd have 69 catches for 990 yards but just one score in his three years as a Saint. Most of the other tight ends or wideouts that had 87 over the years would make similar contributions, at best, in short stints with New Orleans. Advertisement Lonzell Hill came on as a second-round pick in the 1987 NFL Draft out of Washington. Hill was an underrated part of the New Orleans offense for four years, catching 138 passes for 1,711 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 9 yards as a punt returner. Oct. 30, 2005; New Orleans Saints receiver Joe Horn (87) pulls in a pass against the Miami Dolphins Travares Tillman (26). Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images © 2005 John David Mercer Joe Horn is one of the greatest free-agent acquisitions in New Orleans history. Horn transformed the Saints offense into an explosive unit. Over a seven-year career in New Orleans, he had 523 receptions for 7,622 yards and 50 touchdowns. Horn had four 1,000-yard seasons with the Saints, including a then-team record three straight years. He holds top-5 spots in franchise history for catches, receiving yards, and receiving scores. In 2010, Horn was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame. Advertisement Arrington was a training camp favorite by fans for five years, but managed only 9 career receptions for 110 yards. Lewis faced similar adulation, producing similar results, and was actually with New Orleans for parts of four seasons, wearing No. 87 as a rookie in 2016. As a rookie, Lewis caught 7 passes for 76 yards and averaged 11.4 as the team's punt returner. Dec 6, 2020; New Orleans Saints tight end Jared Cook (87) catches a pass against Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (54). Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Jared Cook will always be remembered, and hated by fans, for a costly fumble during the Saints 2021 Divisional Playoff loss to Tampa Bay in what would be the final game for the legendary Drew Brees. Cook actually had a productive two-year run with the Saints, however, averaging 40 catches and 605 yards while scoring 16 touchdowns over that span. Cook's 705 yards in 2019 were second on the team to Michael Thomas, while his 9 scores tied for the team lead. Advertisement Foster Moreau has never been one to fill up a stat sheet. In his two years with the Saints, he has 53 receptions for 606 yards and 6 touchdowns. However, Moreau is one of the league's best blockers at his position, with his underrated short-area receiving skills also a valuable component to the offense. Related: Saints To Bring In Veteran Running Back For Minicamp Tryout Related: Derek Carr Further Explains Retirement Decision From New Orleans Saints Related: Former Saints Defensive Star Arrested, Per Report Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 89 Related: Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 91 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 94 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
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Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 86
Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 86 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. We sit 86 days away from the 2025 regular season opener for the New Orleans Saints. The Saints will take on the Arizona Cardinals to kick off their 59th NFL season, first under new head coach Kellen Moore. Advertisement Tight end Michael Jacobson is currently wearing number 86 for the Saints. He's spent two years on the team's practice squad but has yet to see any regular season action. A former college basketball star, Jacobson faces a stiff battle for a roster spot this offseason. Here's a look at all players who have worn 86 for the Saints during a regular season game. Saints History of 86 New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jubilee Dunbar (86) makes a catch against the Chicago Bears in 1973. Credit: Pinterest • Tom Hall, WR (1967) • Daniel Colchico, DE (1969) • Creston Whitaker, WR (1972) • Jubilee Dunbar, WR (1973) • Richard Williams, WR (1974) • Dave Davis, WR (1974) • Melvin Baker, WR (1975) • Jim Thaxton, TE (1976-77) • Tom Donovan, WR (1980) Advertisement • Rich Martini, WR (1981) • Rich Caster, TE (1981) • Jeff Groth, WR (1982-85) • Mike Jones, WR (1986-87) • Vic Harrison, WR (1987) • Cliff Benson, TE (1988) • Rod Harris, WR (1989) • Gerald Alphin, WR (1990-91) • Louis Lipps, WR (1992) • Marcus Dowdell, WR (1992) • Pat Newman, WR (1991-93) • Kurt Botkin, TE (1994-95) • Tony Johnson, TE (1996-97) • Gunnard Twyner, WR (1997) • Sean Dawkins, WR (1998) • Kendall Gammon, LS/TE (1999) • Jake Reed, WR (2000, 2002) • Walter Rasby, TE (2003) • Zachary Hilton, TE (2005) • John Owens, TE (2006-07) • Buck Ortega, TE (2008-09) • Chris Manhertz, TE (2016) • John Phillips, TE (2016-17) Advertisement • Jason Vander Laan, TE (2019) • Ethan Wolf, TE (2021) • J.P. Holtz, TE (2023) • Michael Jacobson, TE (present) Dec 12, 1982; FILE PHOTO; New Orleans Saints receiver Jeff Groth (86) makes a catch against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-Imagn Images There have been 36 players to wear number 86 for the Saints. Of that list, 23 of them wore it for one season or less and only two wore it for more than two seasons. The first to sport the number was Tom Hall, who caught passes for yards 19 passes for 249 yards during the first Saints season in 1967. Jubilee Dunbar was the first No. 86 to score a touchdown for New Orleans, pulling in 23 receptions for 447 yards and 4 touchdowns in 1973. It wasn't until 1976 and seven different players had worn 86 until someone did it for more than one year. In two seasons as a Saint, Jim Thaxton had 21 catches for 323 yards and two scores. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jake Reed catches a pass during a 2002 game against the Detroit Lions. Credit: SB Nation After 11 players donned 86, the Saints finally had a player to do it for more than two years when Jeff Groth did it in the early 1980s. Groth actually played for the Saints from 1981 to 1985, switching from No. 48 in his first year to 86 for the final four. Advertisement While in 86, Groth caught 127 passes for 1,693 yards and scored four times. With his four years and 53 games for the Saints in No. 86, Groth remains the longest-tenured and most productive Saint to wear that jersey. Jones was a quietly productive member of the New Orleans offense for two seasons. He led the 1986 squad with 48 catches and had 75 receptions for 1,045 yards and 6 scores in 28 games wearing No. 86. Pat Newman is the only Saints player other than Groth to wear 86 for more than two seasons. Newman played in 33 games, also second to Groth, but had just 14 receptions for 175 yards and one score. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Mike Jones (86) catches a touchdown pass in a 1987 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Credit: Through the 1980s and 1990s, the Saints had a habit of bringing in players who were well past their prime. Three wideouts that wore 86 for New Orleans perfectly embodied this problem in Louis Lipps, Sean Dawkins, and Jake Reed. Advertisement Unlike Lipps, Dawkins was fairly productive in his one-year stint for New Orleans. He led the 1998 Saints with 823 receiving yards, catching 55 balls to finish second on the team. Dawkins' yardage output would be the second highest of his nine-year career in the NFL. After starring with the Minnesota Vikings for the first 10 years of his career, Reed played two of his last three seasons in New Orleans. He appeared in 21 regular season games, the fourth most by a Saints player wearing 86. In three years with the Saints, Reed had 37 receptions for 566 yards and 3 touchdowns. His last NFL season was with the Saints in 2003. 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Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 88
Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 88 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Wednesday marks 88 days until the New Orleans Saints open the 2025 regular season against the Arizona Cardinals. It will be the 59th NFL season for the Saints, who hope to better their 5-12 record from a year ago under new head coach Kellen Moore. Advertisement Tight end Jack Stoll is wearing number 88 going into this offseason. Stoll is entering his fifth NFL season, but his first with New Orleans. If he makes the team, Stoll would become the 23rd player to wear 88 in a regular season game for the Saints. Here's a look back at the others. Saints History of 88 Feb 7, 2010; New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey (88) makes a diving catch against the Indianapolis Colts during Super Bowl XLIV. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images • Ben Hart, DE (1967) • Dave Szymakowski, WR (1968) • Fred Hyatt, WR (1973) • Andy Dorris, DE (1973) • Joel Parker, WR (1974-77) • Brooks Williams, TE (1978-81) • Don Bass, TE (1982) • Eugene Goodlow, WR (1983-86) • Mike Waters, TE (1987) • Mark Pattison, WR (1987-88) • Floyd Turner, WR (1989-93) • Derrell Mitchell, WR (1994) Advertisement • Henry Lusk, TE (1996) • Andre Hastings, WR (1997-99) • Willie Jackson, WR (2000-01) • David Sloan, TE (2002) • Talman Gardner, WR (2003-04) • Nate Poole, WR (2005) • Jeremy Shockey, TE (2008-10) • Nick Toon, WR (2013-14) • Ty Montgomery, WR/RB (2020-21) • J.P. Holtz, TE (2022) • Jack Stoll, TE (present) Sep 29, 1991; FILE PHOTO; New Orleans Saints receiver Floyd Turner (88) makes a catch against Atlanta Falcons defensive back Tim McKyer (22). Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY NETWORK Hart was the first player to suit up in 88 for New Orleans, playing one game and intercepting a pass during the team's inaugural season of 1967. Szymakowski was the first offensive player to wear the number the following year. Parker was the first one to wear it in multiple years, catching 50 passes for 578 yards and 6 touchdowns in his first two of three years as a Saint. Advertisement The first moderately significant contribution from a No. 88 with New Orleans was from Goodlow, a 1982 third-round choice. In four years with the Saints, Goodlow had 115 receptions for 1,677 yards and 10 touchdowns. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Eugene Goodlow (88) catches a pass against the San Francisco 49ers. Credit: Turner would also wind up being a good contributor. He had 124 catches for 1,808 yards and 14 scores during his five seasons with New Orleans. Turner would be the longest-tenured number 88 in franchise history. Neither he nor Goodlow were featured receivers, but both were reliable complementary weapons for the Saints offense. Hastings was towards the end of a solid career when he got to New Orleans. He still managed 722 receiving yards in his first year with the team despite bad coaching and awful quarterback play. In three years under such conditions, Hastings caught 123 passes for 1,741 yards Sep 28, 1997; FILE PHOTO; New Orleans Saints receiver Andre Hastings (88) after a catch against the New York Giants. Mandatory Credit: Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK Willie Jackson's first regular season with the Saints was solid but unspectacular. That is, until an incredible playoff run of 15 catches, 267 yards, and 4 touchdowns in two games. He followed that up with a 2001 season of 81 receptions for 1,046 yards. Advertisement A trade brought four-time Pro Bowl TE Jeremy Shockey from the Giants to the Saints during the 2008 offseason. Shockey didn't have quite the same success he did in New York, but was an extremely effective weapon and caught the go-ahead touchdown in Super Bowl XLIV. In his three years as a Saint, Shockey caught 139 balls for 1,460 yards and 6 touchdowns. Bigger things were expected from Toon when he arrived as fourth round pick out of Wisconsin. They never quite materialized, as injuries and ineffectiveness limited him to only 21 catches in two years. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Willie Jackson catches a pass against the St. Louis Rams during a 2000 Wild Card playoff game. Credit: Montgomery was a valuable and versatile contributor during his two-year stint in New Orleans. When injuries didn't keep him on the sidelines, he was an effective fill-in as both runner and receiver. Advertisement Stoll looks to earn a roster spot as a blocking tight end with New Orleans. He's not contributed much as a receiver in his career. 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