J.J. McCarthy was drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings after winning the National Championship with the Michigan Wolverines. But, ahead of his 2024 rookie season, he suffered an injury that kept him out the entire season.
He missed his rookie year, but was back and ready to go in 2025, and started off his career strong with a comeback win over the Chicago Bears in Chicago on Monday Night Football.
After his strong start, there were questions about whether he is eligible for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk revealed whether McCarthy was eligible for the award or not, and what other awards he could earn.
Is McCarthy eligible for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year?
McCarthy was wearing an "NFL Premiere 2025" jersey patch, which is used for a player's debut in the NFL. But, despite wearing the patch signifying his first start, Florio reports that he is not eligible for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
"We've previously confirmed that McCarthy is not eligible for the prize. The 'premiere patch, however, creates confusion," Florio writes.
Part of why this question is being asked is that in the NBA, the rules regarding rookies are different. Ben Simmons was drafted, didn't play for a year, and won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in his second season with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Just like McCarthy, he never played in his first season. But in McCarthy's case, he is not eligible for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2025, as that award is reserved for 2025 draft picks and undrafted free agents.
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But, while McCarthy isn't a rookie, he is eligible for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He was injured all of 2024 and has a chance to earn the accolade with a strong season. Dak Prescott, Christian McCaffrey, Aidan Hutchinson, and Trevor Lawrence are some of his top competitors for the award.
While his Monday Night Football comeback win was his NFL debut, and while he was wearing his debut patch on his jersey, McCarthy isn't a rookie anymore, and can't win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
It was a good start to McCarthy's career, leading three straight touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to beat the Bears. But even if he continues to build off this strong start, McCarthy won't be eligible for the Rookie of the Year honors.
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