JJ McCarthy Flips the Script and Makes NFL History on Vikings Debut

JJ McCarthy completed 3 touchdowns in his Minnesota Vikings debut.

JJ McCarthy Flips the Script and Makes NFL History on Vikings Debut

JJ McCarthy (Image via IMAGO)

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JJ McCarthy’s first official game for the Minnesota Vikings ended with a 27-24 victory against divisional opponents, the Chicago Bears. McCarthy contributed for three touchdowns and accumulated a quarterback rating of 105.4.

From just the numbers, it may seem McCarthy had a solid debut game. However, he looked like a mere shadow of his college self in the first half.

McCarthy completed just 5 passes from 8 attempts for 48 yards, along with 1 carry for 11 yards on the ground. Kicker Will Reichard kept the Vikings in the tie by scoring multiple field goals.

The start of the second half wasn’t great either. Two minutes in, McCarthy’s wayward pass was picked off by former Vikings cornerback Nahshon Wright and returned for a pick-6.

McCarthy found rhythm in the fourth quarter

It took McCarthy three minutes into the fourth quarter to throw his first NFL touchdown. On third and five, star wide receiver Justin Jefferson ran a post route and shook off his marker to make a diving catch.

JJ McCarthy Flips the Script and Makes NFL History on Vikings Debut
JJ McCarthy (Image via IMAGO)

McCarthy finally seemed in control of the game. Four minutes later, Aaron Jones caught a 27-yard pass to give the Vikings their first lead of the game.

Three minutes before the final whistle, the Vikings got close to the Bears’ red zone once again. Nine plays in, head coach Kevin O’Connell greenlit McCarthy’s second carry. The 22-year-old happily accepted the offer to score a diving touchdown following a 14-yard run.

Caleb Williams threw his first touchdown of the season within a minute to reduce the deficit, but the Vikings held on for a morale-boosting 27-24 victory.

McCarthy trailed the Bears in nearly every category. He threw fewer passing yards (143, Bears 210), completed fewer first downs (14, Bears 20), and had fewer total plays (49, Bears 63). However, more possession doesn’t always equal more points. Wins and losses always come down to the way a team uses its time on the ball. McCarthy and the Vikings made the most of their chances despite making a rough start.

Week one turned out to be historic for McCarthy. He became the first player in NFL history to have 3 TDs in the 4th quarter of their NFL debut.

Super Bowl winner asks Vikings fans to be patient about JJ McCarthy

McCarthy shares the same alma mater as seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. Both played for the University of Michigan Wolverines in college.

Brady, in a recent interview with Chris Collinsworth for PFF, asked Vikings fans to be patient about McCarthy.

They’re expecting J.J. [McCarthy] to come and play at that level that Sam [Darnold] did. But I think that’s a lot to ask of a young player. In my second year, I wasn’t the same quarterback that I was in Year 7 or Year 8. I was way better in 2007 than when I was in 2001 when I took over.

Tom Brady said

Brady believes that it’s ‘unfair’ to expect instant results from a quarterback who is just starting out in the big leagues. The Vikings drafted McCarthy 10th overall in 2024, but he had to spend his rookie season in rehab due to a torn meniscus.

Sam Darnold took over as the starter for the season and led the Vikings to a 14-3 finish. They were knocked out in the wild-card round by the Los Angeles Rams.

Despite Darnold’s performances, the Vikings opted to release him in the offseason. He is now the QB1 of the Seattle Seahawks.

The Vikings opted to cut Darnold because they trusted in McCarthy. They even declined to sign Aaron Rodgers to back their young quarterback.

McCarthy looked shaky in the beginning against the Bears, but got his act together to secure his first NFL win. It will only get tougher from here on out. The Vikings’ next few opponents are the Steelers, Browns, Eagles, Chargers, Lions, and Ravens before the return fixture against the Bears in week 11.

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