Of the many takeaways one could have had about J.J. McCarthy’s first NFL start, Tom Brady singled out the emotion on display by the Minnesota Vikings quarterback in Monday’s win over the Chicago Bears.
Appearing on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Brady noted he “absolutely” loved seeing the emotion from McCarthy because it can help to “elevate your teammates” in big moments of a game.
Perhaps no moment better encapsulated this than McCarthy’s reaction after his 14-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter that gave the Vikings a 27-17 lead.
The first-year starter had open space in front of him most of the way before diving head-first into contact to break the plane.
McCarthy’s teammates were effusive in praising him and how he responded throughout the game, particularly early when he was struggling to get going against Chicago’s defense.
Vikings right tackle Brian O’Neill told reporters after the game that the “conviction in his voice and how he was walking up and down the sideline talking to everybody” gave them the belief things would turn around.
Whatever McCarthy and head coach Kevin O’Connell cooked up definitely worked. He went 6-of-8 with 101 total yards and accounted for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter after going 7-of-12 for 66 yards with no touchdowns and an interception that was returned for a touchdown in the first three quarters.
The Vikings will certainly need more consistency from McCarthy going forward if they hope to win regularly and get back to the playoffs, but the 22-year-old quarterback making his first start on the road in a primetime game responded well after looking overwhelmed early.
McCarthy’s next test will come on Sunday in his first career home start in another primetime spotlight when the Vikings host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football.
