The Minnesota Vikings placed a huge bet on second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy heading into this season, though his first-ever NFL game made that wager look foolish — at least for one half.
McCarthy entered the fourth quarter 7-of-12 passing for just 56 yards passing and an interception, which former Vikings cornerback Nashon Wright returned 74 yards for a touchdown. He also took three sacks through three quarters.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell didn’t hide his uncertainty around the 22-year-old signal-caller late in the first half, as he sent out kicker Will Reichard for a 59-yard field goal attempt with 11 seconds left and no timeouts.
However, McCarthy turned the game around with a massive fourth quarter that began with touchdown drive during Minnesota’s first possession of the stanza, hitting Justin Jefferson for a 13-yard score on the Vikings’ first third-down conversion of the evening.
McCarthy’s then hit another touchdown pass to running back Aaron Jones later in the fourth quarter following a controversial pass interference call on a third-and-one play. He then rushed for a 14-yard TD for the Vikings’ third score of the final period.
NFL Social Media Jumped on J.J. McCarthy Too Harshly, Quickly
GettyQuarterback J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings.
Despite how well McCarthy played late, his introduction to NFL social media was merciless.
Barstool Sports got in on the action early with a video of McCarthy on the sideline late in the first half.
“JJ McCarthy first half highlights,” the Barstool account captioned a reel of McCarthy jumping up and down and losing his hat in the process.
“JJ McCarthy is NOT an NFL caliber QB,” one X user posted. “The NFL is just too fast for him. Not even Kevin O’Connell can save him. Absolutely awful, the #Vikings should have kept [Sam] Darnold.”
“JJ McCarthy’s first touchdown pass!” another person wrote under a video of McCarthy’s interception to Wright early in the third quarter.
Bears Started Game Without 2 Starting Cornerbacks, Lost Nashon Wright in 2nd Half
GettyChicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
McCarthy had to make his first NFL start under the bright lights of Soldier Field in a nationally televised game. That said, he caught a couple of nice breaks with regards to Chicago’s defense.
Two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson missed the contest due to a groin injury he suffered while training away from the Bears in late July. Kyler Gordon, Chicago’s starting nickel cornerback, also missed the contest with a hamstring issue.
Third-year cornerback Terrell Smith, who was competing for the CB2 job on the outside with Tyrique Stevenson, lost his season due to a knee injury in August. Then Wright, who intercepted McCarthy early in the second half, suffered a knee injury later in the contest that knocked him out for a period of time.
None of that, however, should diminish what McCarthy was able to accomplish — particularly considering Monday night’s were the first meaningful snaps of his professional career, and that he played so poorly through three quarters but still erased an 11-point deficit heading into the final quarter.
McCarthy finished the night 13-of-20 passing for 143 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. He also rushed the football twice for 25 yards and one score.
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