Quarterback JJ McCarthy returned as the starter for the Minnesota Vikings in one of the most challenging scenarios an NFL player can face: a road game against the division-leading Detroit Lions. With immense pressure to justify his role as QB1, McCarthy rose to the occasion. Just as he did in the fourth quarter of the season opener against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, he delivered clutch plays throughout the game. McCarthy finished with a stat line of 14 completions on 25 attempts for 143 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and added a rushing touchdown.
Speaking to sideline reporter Tom Rinaldi about his return, the team’s upset victory that improved their record to .500 (4-4), and what fans can expect from Minnesota moving forward, McCarthy expressed his excitement and pride. “Obviously a lot of excitement, and I’m just so proud of the guys,” he said. “We fought, we had a different energy this week, a different level of focus. But there’s a lot more we can clean up.”
He didn’t stop there, adding, “We haven’t reached our potential. We haven’t even gotten close yet.”
### JJ McCarthy Returns Amid Huge Pressure and Intense Doubt
McCarthy’s statement rings true not just for the Vikings, but for the 22-year-old quarterback himself, who made only the third start of his career on Sunday, November 2. Prior to this, he missed five games—and Minnesota’s bye week—due to a high-ankle sprain.
There was skepticism from some analysts who believed the Vikings were slow-playing McCarthy’s return to favor veteran backup Carson Wentz. Wentz had gone 2-3 as the starter but is now out for the season after shoulder surgery.
One such media member, Danny Heifetz of *The Ringer*, shared his thoughts on “The Bill Simmons Podcast” aired October 22:
“The Vikings, to this point in the season, had the easiest schedule in the NFL. The Vikings going forward have the hardest schedule in the NFL,” Heifetz said. “So McCarthy comes back, he’s gonna get rocked. He’s clearly not ready for the NFL, and the Vikings are a win-now team.”
Heifetz continued, “We all wonder if the McCarthy ankle thing was a shadow benching. There was probably some kind of injury there, but I’m like, ‘They are hiding this guy.’”
### McCarthy Demonstrates Clutch Ability in Two NFC North Road Wins
Whether Heifetz was right, wrong, or somewhere in between about Minnesota “hiding” McCarthy, the team had no choice but to put their second-year signal-caller back under center in Week 9.
With Wentz sidelined, undrafted rookie Max Brosmer and John Wolford remain the only other quarterbacks on the roster. Brosmer has never started a game, while Wolford holds a 2-2 career record but hasn’t taken a regular-season snap since 2022.
Though McCarthy didn’t blow the doors off with his performance, he was both competent and critical. Once again, he showed his ability to deliver clutch plays when it mattered most, helping guide the Vikings through tough NFC North road games.
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