J. J. McCarthy Week 1 QB Grade: Vikings @ Bears

The quasi-rookies first career start takes place in the stadium he called a home as a fan. J. J. McCarthy finally makes his debut after a knee injury wiped out his 2024 season. The Vikings had Sam Darnold set up and replace him to the tune of 4,319 yards and 35 touchdown passes, but the Vikings elected to let Darnold walk in free agency, going with thie 1st round draft pick this year. How did McCarthy fair in his debut? Let's take a look at the breakdown.

Basics

C/A: 13/20 (65.0%)

Yards: 143

Touchdowns: 3

Turnovers: 1

QB at Fault Sacks: 2

Passer Rating: 98.5

True Passer Rating: 107.7

Time to Throw: 2.89s

Time to Pressure: 2.65s

Pressure Rate: 26.67%

9.7% Poor Play Rate vs. 16.1% Big Play Rate

Breakdown

• McCarthy had a VERY quiet first half attempting just 8 passes, as the surprising Bears pass rush made his life difficult to function. They ended the first two drives with sacks of McCarthy, one being a coverage sack and the other a clear issue on the OL.

• He hid however, have a couple nice plays. A first down scramble for 11 yards show cased his good athleticism as he escaped a collapsing pocket to pick up a first down setting up a field goal in the drive. He would also set up a field goal before half time, hitting Justin Jefferson in the numbers on a mid range crossing route that he turned up field for 28 yards, giving the Vikings a shot at a 59 yard field goal before the half, which they cashed in. Great mid range accuracy and placement on the ball, to that point in the game his best throw.

• His interception was 100% on him, however. It was a typical out route to Jefferson, but McCarthy was both late on the throw and placed it in a dangerous area, a bit behind Jefferson, where as he needed to be putting that ball more towards the sideline. Nashon Wright jumped the route and took it to the house the other way.

• It wasn't until the 4th Quarter where the switch flipped for McCarthy. Where he went 5/8 for 87 yards, 2 touchdowns, a 139.1 rating, and added another rushing touchdown, scoring 21 unanswered to stun the Bears.

• His first TD drive saw 2 "Great" throws, the first and deep out to Justin Jefferson that McCarthy delivered with anticipation AND with pressure in his face. He then followed that up with a bullet into a tight window to Jefferson for the Vikings 1st touchdown of the night.

• He followed that drive up with a Deep throw to Jefferson who unfortunately dropped the well placed ball over a defender. But McCarthy follows that up with an even better throw to Aaron Jones, a deep wheel route that McCarthy delivered over a defender and out of danger from a lurking Safety. An Elite throw to give the Vikings a lead.

• He topped his night off with a nice zone read keep, getting Dayo Odeyingbo to bite on the play fake, and take the ball off right tackle in for a touchdown, shouldering his way through some defenders.

• All and all a solid rookie debut, especially with his ability to clutch up in the 4th quarter and deliver 3 consecutive touchdown drives. He scored a -0.30/1.35/1.05 charting as an "Average" game. A promising start for the signal caller in Minnesota.