Minnesota Vikings’ JJ McCarthy Shines in NFL Debut

It wasn’t an easy start for Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy in his first NFL game on Monday night. The initial three quarters left much to be desired, but the fourth quarter, well, that was something else entirely.

McCarthy orchestrated a remarkable comeback, scoring 21 points in the final period, leading the Vikings to a 27-24 victory over the Chicago Bears at the beginning of the 2025 NFL season.

Last year, McCarthy had to watch from the sidelines due to a season-ending meniscus injury. He observed as Sam Darnold guided the team to a commendable 14-3 record, but he always anticipated his own shot at leading the team this season.

Initially, McCarthy faced challenges as the Bears’ defense, under new coordinator Dennis Allen, effectively pressured him. Yet, he managed to get his kicker, Will Reicard, into field goal range twice in the first half, while the Bears’ offense, led by rookie coach Ben Johnson, started strong.

Despite trailing 17-6, McCarthy stepped up during crunch time in the fourth quarter. His pivotal six-play drive culminated in a touchdown pass to star receiver Justin Jefferson, marking the first score of the new season.

With the Vikings’ defense putting pressure on Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, McCarthy seized every opportunity. A deep throw set up Aaron Jones to score, putting the Vikings ahead 20-17 after a successful two-point conversion.

The decisive moment came during a nine-play drive that ended with McCarthy scoring a touchdown on a read-option play, running in from the 14-yard line. Teammates rallied around him as he crossed the goal line, igniting celebration on the sideline.

While the Bears initially started hot, even scoring on their opening drive, their offense stalled, managing only a field goal in the second quarter. Kicker Cairo Santos also missed another attempt later on.

McCarthy did have a rough moment—a pick-six in the third quarter—leading to some criticism, but he regrouped and guided the team when it mattered. With just two minutes left, Williams managed to establish momentum for the Bears, narrowing the gap with a touchdown pass to Roma Odunze.

The Bears’ defense forced the Vikings into three consecutive three-and-outs, but the clock was against them. Eventually, the Vikings claimed a hard-fought victory on the road.

McCarthy’s first-career start wrapped up with a line of 13 completions on 20 attempts for 143 yards, including two touchdowns and one interception. As for the ground game, Jordan Mason contributed 15 yards, while veteran Aaron Jones had eight carries for 23 yards. Interestingly, Jones and Jefferson both recorded 44 yards in receiving.

On the Bears’ side, Williams threw for a touchdown and also rushed for another, totaling 211 yards. He was the leading rusher with 58 yards on just six carries. D’Andre Swift contributed 53 yards on 17 attempts, while DJ Moore secured 70 yards on three receptions.