For the first game of his second NFL season, Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy had a special patch on his jersey: “NFL Premiere 2025.” Based on his performance, some have asked whether McCarthy is eligible for the offensive rookie of the year award.

He is not.

We’ve previously confirmed that McCarthy is not eligible for the prize. The “premiere” patch, however, creates confusion.

Complicating matters is that the NBA allows a second-year player who didn’t play in his first year to win its rookie of the year award. Ben Simmons did just that in 2017-18.

That’s not the case in the NFL. McCarthy was a rookie in 2024.

He is, however, eligible for comeback player of the year. He’s currently +1200 at DraftKings sportsbook. Trailing only Dak Prescott (+225), Christian McCaffrey (+225), Aidan H

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