JJ McCarthy Ignites Electrifying Comeback in NFL Debut as Vikings Stun Bears 27-24
Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy delivered a storybook debut, engineering a jaw-dropping fourth-quarter comeback to lift the Vikings past their division rivals, the Chicago Bears, in a thrilling 27-24 Monday night victory.
For much of the game, McCarthy’s first taste of NFL regular-season action was anything but smooth. The Vikings offense looked lost, struggling to find rhythm while Soldier Field’s electric atmosphere rattled the rookie. Things reached rock bottom in the third quarter when Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright picked off McCarthy and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown, giving Chicago an 11-point lead.
But when the lights burned brightest, McCarthy flipped the script. With poise beyond his years, the rookie QB unleashed three consecutive touchdown drives in the fourth quarter — tossing two touchdown passes and running in another himself — to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
“There’s no way to deny it — we don’t win this game unless JJ plays the way he did in the second half,” said Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. “Most importantly, he kept his team believing. Now we know what’s possible.”
From College Star to NFL Survivor
Drafted 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft after capturing a national championship with Michigan, McCarthy’s road to this moment was far from easy. He missed his entire rookie season after tearing the meniscus in his right knee.
In his absence, Sam Darnold stepped up, delivering a career year and even guiding Minnesota to the playoffs, before falling short in the first round. The Vikings let Darnold walk in free agency, where he signed with the Seattle Seahawks, paving the way for McCarthy to take over.
A Nightmare Start Turns Into a Dream Finish
McCarthy’s first start seemed doomed early. By halftime, Chicago outgained Minnesota 172-80, and the Vikings had nothing to show but two field goals. By the third quarter, they had six punts and a pick-six against them.
Then, in the final 15 minutes, McCarthy came alive. His first-ever NFL touchdown pass, a 13-yard strike to Justin Jefferson, gave Minnesota hope. Just one drive later, he orchestrated a lightning-fast five-play, 50-yard series in only 51 seconds, capped off with a 27-yard touchdown to Aaron Jones.
For the exclamation point, the 22-year-old quarterback tucked the ball and powered his way into the end zone on a 14-yard rushing score, sealing his unforgettable debut.
Making NFL History
The Bears tried to mount a late rally, but their final touchdown only narrowed the deficit to three. McCarthy had already etched his name into the record books:
First player since Cam Newton (2011) to record multiple passing touchdowns and a rushing score in his NFL debut.
First QB since Steve Young (1985) to overcome a 10+ point fourth-quarter deficit and win in his NFL debut.
McCarthy finished the night completing 13 of 20 passes for 143 yards, adding two passing TDs and one rushing touchdown.
“It’s been a long journey,” McCarthy reflected. “I think it’s been 609 days since my last competitive game in the national championship. So many hours in the training room, studying film, and learning this playbook… just to finally step on this field. At the end of the day, it’s such a blessing to be an NFL player.”
For Minnesota fans, the wait for JJ McCarthy was worth every second — and if his debut is any sign of what’s to come, the Vikings may have found their future franchise quarterback.