JJ McCarthy Leads Vikings to Comeback Win in NFL Debut

The Minnesota Vikings opened their season with a thrilling 27-24 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday, as rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy delivered a memorable debut in front of a fired-up crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium.

McCarthy’s first NFL outing wasn’t smooth. The rookie misfired on several early throws and tossed an interception late in the first quarter. But instead of unraveling, he settled into a rhythm, using his mobility to extend plays and eventually turning the game in Minnesota’s favor.

The turning point came in the second half. With the Vikings trailing 17-10, McCarthy engineered back-to-back touchdown drives. On the first, he scrambled to his right and found Justin Jefferson for a 22-yard gain on third down, keeping the series alive. Moments later, he capped the drive with a short strike to tight end T.J. Hockenson in the end zone.

Late in the fourth quarter, with the score tied 24-24, McCarthy calmly directed a 75-yard march downfield. He delivered the go-ahead touchdown on a perfectly placed ball to Jordan Addison, who hauled it in despite tight coverage. The Vikings defense then held off Chicago’s final push, with Danielle Hunter recording a key sack to seal the win.

“JJ showed a lot of toughness tonight,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said afterward. “He didn’t let the early mistakes shake him. He adjusted, kept competing, and gave us a chance to win.”

Teammates echoed the praise. “You could feel his confidence in the huddle,” Jefferson said. “For a rookie, he was calm. That gave all of us belief we could get it done.”

McCarthy finished 21 of 33 for 245 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, a stat line that reflected both his rocky start and his strong recovery.

For the Vikings, the victory not only puts them at 1-0 but also provides a glimpse of what the franchise hopes will be a new era under center. Fans chanted McCarthy’s name as they streamed out of the stadium, eager to believe they’ve found their quarterback of the future.

The road ahead won’t be easy. Minnesota faces division rival Green Bay next week, followed by matchups with playoff contenders in the Eagles and 49ers. For McCarthy, it will be an early test of consistency against some of the league’s toughest defenses.

For now, though, the Vikings will gladly take a season-opening win and the promise that their rookie quarterback is ready for the challenge.