Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Leads Historic Fourth-Quarter Comeback in NFL Debut

Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy made a historic NFL debut by leading a remarkable fourth-quarter comeback against the Chicago Bears, overturning a 17-6 deficit to secure a 27-24 victory. Despite a rough start and missing his entire rookie year due to a knee injury, McCarthy completed 13 of 20 passes for 143 yards, threw two touchdowns, rushed for 25 yards, and scored a rushing touchdown, becoming one of only two quarterbacks in NFL history, alongside Hall of Famer Steve Young, to erase a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit in their debut. The Vikings traded up to select McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, a move that raised eyebrows after they allowed Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold to leave for the Seattle Seahawks on a lucrative deal. Head coach Kevin O'Connell's halftime confidence boost was pivotal, as McCarthy's leadership and poise energized the team and sparked the comeback. McCarthy also set a record by being the first player to record two passing touchdowns of at least 10 yards and a rushing touchdown of at least 10 yards in the fourth quarter of any game. His performance has generated excitement about his potential to thrive as the Vikings' franchise quarterback.