In NFL debut, QB J.J. McCarthy rallies Vikings past Bears - ESPN

CHICAGO — Everyone in the Minnesota Vikings locker room had their own favorite J.J. McCarthy moment of the night. And in the end, they all added up to a thrilling 27-24 victory over the Chicago Bears on Monday night.

Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave recalled McCarthy telling him that «he's got us» as the team trudged off the field at halftime, trailing by four points after an anemic offensive showing. Coach Kevin O'Connell noted the «unbelievable look» in McCarthy's eyes as the Vikings launched into a fourth-quarter comeback, with McCarthy accounting for three touchdowns.

After McCarthy had an interception returned for a touchdown early in the third quarter, right tackle Brian O'Neill listened intently as McCarthy — a 22-year-old quarterback making his NFL debut — spoke to players on the sideline.

«He believed that it was about to pop,» O'Neill said. «There's a lot of times where you're like, 'Yeah, all right, cool. Let's go, whatever.' But the conviction in his voice and how he was walking up and down the sideline talking to everybody, little details about different plays, getting guys locked in in the huddle. It was really cool to see.»

And running back Aaron Jones Sr., whose 27-yard touchdown reception gave the Vikings their first lead with 9 minutes, 46 seconds left in the fourth quarter, recalled seven words McCarthy used once in the huddle: «Is there any place you'd rather be?»

McCarthy's previous competitive football game was on Jan. 8, 2024, when he was playing for the college football national championship at the University of Michigan. In the ensuing 609 days, he was the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft by the Vikings and then sat out his rookie season because of a torn meniscus in his right knee.

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