CHICAGO — The stage was set for young quarterback J.J. McCarthy to make the Chicago Bears pay for passing on him twice in the 2024 NFL draft. After cheering for them as a kid growing up in La Grange Park, Ill., McCarthy had a chance to beat them in front of a national television audience in primetime.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates after scoring during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
It looked like any chance of that went up in flames shortly after halftime when McCarthy threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown.
To that point, the Vikings had been an abject disaster on offense. The potential passing attack that has become synonymous with head coach Kevin O’Connell was nowhere to be found. The rebuilt running game that was touted for the past few months was rendered completely ineffective.
Not exactly a recipe for a comeback.
But the Vikings kept hanging around and hanging around, and when McCarthy found a rhythm they unleashed a fourth-quarter tidal wave on the Bears. The result? A stunning 27-24 win for the Vikings at Soldier Field.
In the end, McCarthy completed 13 of 20 passes for 143 yards and a pair of touchdowns, to go along with a couple of carries for 25 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Though it wasn’t the sexiest stat line on the surface, McCarthy most importantly showed his moxie, staring adversity directly in the face and emerging victorious.
The slow start for McCarthy caused an overreaction on social media, with a chunk of the fan base labeling him a bust. There wasn’t much to write home about as McCarthy’s nerves seemed to get the best of him for prolonged stretches.
Aaron Jones Sr. #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sept. 08, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
On the other end, quarterback Caleb Williams showcased how dangerous he can be when the play breaks down, escaping pressure and rushing for a touchdown to put the Bears up 7-0 in the early stages.
Meanwhile, as the Vikings continued to struggle mightily on offense, their best play to that point was a pass interference penalty that gained them 42 yards and set up a field goal from Will Reichard to trim the deficit to 7-3.
A field goal from Cairo Santos stretched the Bears’ lead to 10-3 before McCarthy finally showed some life with a 31-yard completion to receiver Jalen Nailor. That set up a 59-yard field goal from Reichard to cut the deficit to 10-6 at halftime.
Then came the rookie mistake from McCarthy that momentarily flipped the game on its head.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, left, catches a touchdown pass as Chicago Bears defensive back Kevin Byard III (31) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
After moving the Vikings into scoring position, McCarthy tried to rip a ball to the sideline, and cornerback Nahshon Wright undercut the route and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown to make it 17-6 in favor of the Bears.
A missed field goal from Santos kept the door ajar, however, and the Vikings came storming through.
After a few nice runs from running back Jordan Mason, McCarthy threw the first touchdown pass of his career, a strike to Justin Jefferson that cut the deficit to 17-12 after a failed conversion.
The Vikings’ onslaught continued as McCarthy found running back Aaron Jones for a deep touchdown pass on the next possession to make it 20-17.
The next time McCarthy got the ball back, he showcased his legs, taking a read option 14 yards into the end zone to stretch the Vikings’ lead to 27-17.
Chicago Bears defensive back Nahshon Wright (26) runs to score a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Though the Bears got a touchdown late on a pass from Williams to Rome Odunze to make it 27-24, the Vikings walked away with a win. And McCarthy started his career like he has at pretty much every stage of his life.
With a win.
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