JJ McCarthy shines on debut as Vikings rally to edge Bears in their NFL opener

Minnesota quarterback JJ McCarthy marked his hometown NFL debut in style, guiding the Vikings to a 27-24 come-from-behind win over the Chicago Bears on Monday’s season opener for both teams. McCarthy became the first quarterback since Steve Young in 1985 to overcome a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit and win in his NFL debut. McCarthy has also become the first player ever in the NFL to have 3 TDs in the 4th quarter of their NFL debut.

The 22-year-old started off on a bad note as he threw a 74-yard pick-six that put Chicago ahead 17-6. But McCarthy held his nerves as he bounced back brilliantly, sparking a late surge with three touchdowns in the fourth-quarter to cap off a memorable first game in the league. McCarthy went 13-of-20 for 143 yards with two touchdown passes and added a rushing score that ultimately sealed the victory.




"It's surreal," McCarthy said after the game. "Your first NFL win and I just can't be more proud of the guys.

"I was really proud of how we responded because there's going to be a lot of gritty games in the future."

"Getting the win, that's what I'll remember most," McCarthy said, adding, "Being in the hometown, it's a dream come true and to all the kids out there it's possible. I just love my guys and can't wait to go to war next week."


McCarthy was in his element as he was inspiring the blockers and receivers while talking to them even when he was not on the field in the final minutes of the play. McCarthy, who injured his right knee in the 2024 pre-season opener, missed the entire season of what would have been his rookie campaign.

Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams opened the scoring with a nine-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter, capping a 61-yard drive in which he went 6-for-6 for 51 yards. Williams had a stunning start as he completed his first 10 passes - a career best and the longest such streak to open a Bears season since 1978.


Early in the third quarter, McCarthy’s drive ended in disaster when ex-Viking Nahshon Wright intercepted him and returned it 74 yards for a Bears touchdown, stretching the lead to 17-6.

McCarthy roared back in the fourth, finding Justin Jefferson on a 13-yard strike and Aaron Jones on a 27-yard touchdown, then hitting Adam Thielen for a two-point conversion to give Minnesota a 20-17 advantage with 9:46 left. He later capped the rally with a 14-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 27-17.

Caleb Williams cut the deficit with a one-yard touchdown pass to Rome Odunze, but with just over two minutes remaining, the Vikings held possession and ran out the clock to seal the 27-24 victory.