There were a ton of storylines entering this national spotlight game. From McCarthy’s homecoming NFL debut to, the one-sided rivalry between Bears head coach Ben Johnson and Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores to Minnesota’s new ground and pound offensive commitments… this one had it all.

But once the game begins and bodies start flying around the football field, all bets are off. And without a doubt, that is the theme that unfolded in front of our eyes on Monday night.

Minnesota Vikings starters should have played more during preseason

The Vikings came into tonight’s game trying to establish the run… but they were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, KOC was trying with all his might to protect his rookie quarterback making his debut on national television, in a hostile NFC North environment.

Because of their tentative nature early on offensively, Minnesota looked nervous. But when O’Connell tried to entrust McCarthy early in the second half, he repaid him with the first pick-six of his NFL career. Welcome to the league (redshirt) rook…

JJ McCarthy throws his first career interception — it’s a pick six for Nahshon Wright. pic.twitter.com/1mE3MISwZw

— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) September 9, 2025

Not only did JJ McCarthy struggle, but so did Vikings receivers, offensive linemen and running backs. Hell, both Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen dropped passes on third down tonight. If there was one obvious question, it was whether or not Minnesota starters got enough run in the preseason.

Caleb Williams looked like a different dude in first half

With JJ McCarthy struggled in his first career start, Caleb Williams looked like a completely different person with new Bears head coach Ben Johnson calling plays and whispering into his helmet.

The 2024 No. 1 overall pick started Monday night’s game 10-of-10 for 86 yards. Williams finished the first half 13-of-16 (81%) for 112 yards and a 95.8 QB rating. At halftime, Chicago Bears fans and coaches had to feel like they were one more score away from putting this one away… and they got the ball at halftime.

Caleb Williams on the move to Rome Odunze. What a missile 🔥pic.twitter.com/HRGhpBE2lu

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 9, 2025

Related: Vikings Defense Extra Confident Entering Matchup vs Caleb Williams, Bears Offense

When Monday’s game went into the fourth quarter, the Vikings were down 17-6 and JJ McCarthy was 9-of-16 for 56 yards, 0 touchdowns and 1 interception. Minnesota’s outlook at the time was bleak, at best.

MN Vikings defense got better as game went on vs Caleb Williams, Bears

But in the second half, after allowing 172 yards of first half offense, letting Caleb Williams look like Fran Tarkenton for two quarters and forcing just two punts, Brian Flores’ defense buckled down and began to suffocate the USC/Oklahoma product, like they had planned to all week.

During the final two quarters tonight, Caleb Williams completed only 8 of his 19 passes, good for an ugly 42% completion rate. His aforementioned 95.8 QB Rating also fell to 76.2.

Caleb Williams throws a hospital ball to DJ Moore… pic.twitter.com/LeOAb64LbA

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) September 9, 2025

JJ McCarthy reminds football world why he’s special

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings’ new quarterback seemed to find his footing as the game went on, as the game slowed down a bit for him. After struggling through three quarters, McCarthy looked like a different guy in the fourth, standing poised in the pocket, completing 6-of-8 passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns.

JJ also showed off his athleticism, running for a touchdown that capped a 8-minute, 21-0 Minnesota run that suddenly had the Vikings on top of the Bears by ten points.

The comeback happened so fast that if you had to go to the bathroom or left the living room for an old fashioned smoke break, you might have come back to a completely different game than the one you left.

.@jjmccarthy09 lets it RIIIIIIIP@showtyme_33

📺: @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/21Ro08FUDw

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 9, 2025

DAWG‼️@jjmccarthy09

📺: @espnnfl pic.twitter.com/r55ofIVm35

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 9, 2025

Related: Vikings Legend Nails McCarthy’s First TD

Call it JJ’s clutch gene or Chicago’s tendency to fold late in games, but whatever it was, it ended in a Minnesota Vikings 27-24 Monday Night Football opening night victory. But the MN Vikings offensive surge in the fourth quarter tonight went beyond JJ McCarthy’s drive-over-drive improvement.

Minnesota Vikings new-look run games starts slow, finishes strong

In Monday’s final period, after the run game struggled to establish itself for three quarters, the offensive line finally started to wear down the Bears defensive front, opening holes for running backs Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason that were not there during the first three quarters.

Minnesota running backs carried the ball 9 times for just 35 (3.9 YPC) of Minnesota’s 80 offensive yards in the first half. In the second, it was a different story.

During the last two quarters, Jordan Mason carried 11 times for 54 yards, Aaron Jones 5 times for 17 yards. In total, the Vikings ran 17 times in the second half for 85 yards (5.0 YPC), slowly wearing away Chicago’s defense and allowing JJ McCarthy a lot more time on pass plays, especially off play action.

Kevin O’Connell’s squad has high aspirations this season. As always, achieving them will revolve around a general level of consistent health. Unfortunately for them, Chicago’s playing surface is already in tough shape.

Chicago’s dingy stadium already causing problems for MN Vikings

Soldier Field was built in 1924. The Chicago Bears have played their since 1971. Of course it has undergone renovations and upgrades, but among the most consistent problems has been the playing surface itself. Now just hours from Monday Night Football, the pregame updates are not good.

Several members of the field crew at Soldier Field are surveying the turf right now and placing a sand/seed mix in areas that need to be filled on the playing surface. The field was re-sodded after a stretch of five concerts at the end of August.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) September 8, 2025

A look at the turf of @SoldierField from the @vikings booth pic.twitter.com/GhQHjMmisU

— Chris Hawkey (@Chris_Hawkey) September 8, 2025

Sporting venues are often popular places to hold concerts due to their massive capacities. It’s also the draw of experience something in a non-traditional way. That said, hosting those concerts around key points on the calendar for the intended purpose of said sporting venues never seems to go well.

There is a level of resiliency when a playing surface is turf. When it is grass, and you have that many people trampling all over it for hours on end, there’s only so much you can do. New sod can be laid, but there’s still a timetable for it to take hold. We have seen this issue for the Minnesota Twins when hosting concerts at Target Field.

With the Vikings now looking at their first kickoff of the season, Kevin O’Connell gets an added wrinkle to worry about. McCarthy missed the entire 2024 season after suffering a knee injury. This is the grass he gets to return on. Christian Darrisaw is also returning from a knee injury, and he already carries a questionable status.

Related: Official: Minnesota Vikings Without Veteran Leader vs Bears

It’s a good thing that weather isn’t expected to play a factor for Monday Night Football. The Soldier Field grass often becomes a slop fest in rain or snow. Still, a lack of sod being completely filled in or adhered to the dirt below it is a problem.

This isn’t the look the NFL should want for their first Monday Night Football matchup of the season. It’s not a heartwarming one for O’Connell or the Vikings either.

Local reporters are following that line pretty closely, as all Vikings beat reporters with recorded predictions for tonight’s matchup picked Minnesota to squeak out a close victory in the Windy City. National media pundits are more split.

Had they seen the exchange between three MN Vikings beat writers during their most recent “Access Vikings” podcast episode — like you are about to — I’d imagine many of their big timer national colleagues would reconsider.

I’m pretty convinced is the most under-reported Vikings vs Bears storyline of the day, leading up to week 1’s Monday Night Football opener in Chicago. It involves Bears QB Caleb Williams and how the Minnesota defense is feeling internally about tonight’s nationally televised game.

But first, let’s cover some quick background because this was the context, before we can properly introduce the conversation you came here to read about, which took place between Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker from the Star Tribune.

The Caleb Williams bombshell story

In case you haven’t heard, an article written by independent NFL insider Tyler Dunne recently dropped over at his website, GoLong.com. In the piece, the respected NFL insider details just how impossible 2024 No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams was to coach last season.

Not only was his attitude a problem, but so was his QB processor and leadership abilities. Obviously, all of the above cause major friction with coaches and teammates.

Williams struggled to execute elementary tasks. Every day was a new disaster.

That early, that spring, the Bears changed the snap count to appease Williams. Instead of using a combination of colors and numbers like every other team in the NFL, the Bears reverted to a “Ready, set, go!” straight out of JV football because that’s what the quarterback requested.

Aside from the obvious on-field consequences — defenders could tee off — the Bears were establishing a troubling precedent in allowing a rookie to tell them exactly what to do. Veterans couldn’t believe it. “Are you shitting me?” one receiver asked a coach.

GoLongTD.com (reporting by Tyler Dunne)

Related: MN Vikings Picks, Predictions vs Bears – Local Reporters vs National Media

It sounds like Tyler got most of his information from the Bears’ former coaching staff, which was replaced by former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson & Co, and detail just how much disfunction was happening behind the scenes last year in Chicago.

It’s a must-read story that Minnesota Vikings fans should all go read, in order to understand where Williams’ development was at, prior to Ben Johnson taking over. If Caleb is good tonight, Ben might really be a genius. If not, the Bears franchise might be in trouble.

And that brings us back to the aforementioned Star Tribune beat writers, who were discussing Tyler’s piece on their Saturday evening episode of Access Vikings, a conversation that brought them back to Caleb Williams vs the Minnesota Vikings defense.

Minnesota Vikings defense salivating over Bears matchup

From the sounds of it, Brian Flores and “his group of dogs” already know exactly how this Monday night story ends, and it doesn’t bode well for last year’s No. 1 overall pick.

According to Andrew Krammer and Ben Goessling, Brian Flores and the boys are feeling downright cocky (my words not his) this week that — right in front of Bears fans fans and for the entire football world to see — they are going to eat Chicago’s sophomore QB alive.

Sounds like the Vikings defense plans on dismembering Bears QB Caleb Williams in front of the entire nation tonight… 👀🫣

Krammer: "I think Brian Flores and this group of, for lack of a better phrase, this group of dogs that he's got, that are just ready to pounce on Caleb… pic.twitter.com/k61sBcOWpI

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) September 8, 2025

Krammer: “Chicago is under the microscope to start this game, in a prime time setting. First game with a new head coach, first game with this quarterback that needs to be your savior…I’m fascinated to see because they’re so talented.

We know they’re going to be well-coached this time based on what Ben Johnson did in Detroit. But Detroit and Jared Goff and Ben Johnson took some time to build what they did I just don’t think it’s going to look great, or it’s not going to look like a carbon copy or a microwaved version [of the 2024 Lions] in week one.

And I think Brian Flores and this group of, for lack of a better phrase, this group of dogs that he’s got, that are just ready to pounce on Caleb Williams. At a risk of sounding like a homer. I’m pretty excited to see what it looks like for this Vikings defense against a Chicago group that is still trying to find their footing.”

Goessling: “Yeah, we got the sense this week that um they’re feeling pretty good about what they may be able to do to affect Caleb Williams on Monday night. Yeah, that that sentiment came through pretty clearly this week.”

Access Vikings Podcast

Related: Vikings Asst. Turned Down Multiple Promotions; Would’ve Spurned More…

All of the confidence being displayed by the Vikings defense this week, as talked about between Goessling and Krammer, came before Dunne’s devastating story on Williams dropped. God help that kid if anyone on the Vikings’ front seven has read that story since… which they likely all have.

Feeling cocky yet, MN Vikings fans…?

I’m not sure you you are feeling, at this point on Monday afternoon. When this article was written, we were four hours away from the 7:15 pm CDT kickoff. I felt good about Minnesota’s chances tonight, even prior to watching Access Vikings.

But after realizing the confidence Brian Flores’ defense has coming into this game — not to mention the concerns floating around Chicago after the Williams article dropped at GoLongTD.com — I suddenly feel much better about how tonight’s NFC North divisional game will play out. And just for sticking around, you get a

Krammer: “Just all camp, all three of us watching this defense just get after it. And it’s tough. We’re sitting there going, “Okay, how much of this is the rookie or young QB in McCarthy versus this veteran laden defense?” But man, it didn’t matter if it was Ryan Kelly. It didn’t matter if it was Brian O’Neal out there. This defensive front was getting after guys.”

Goessling: And they were talking [smack] about it every single time they did it. I mean, that that group was playing with uh, to quote Tim Brewster, their chili was hot. So, they uh, you know, if you want to go bear hunting, you got to bring something to get the bear. You can’t go in with a pellet gun if you’re trying to get the bear. You want to get some, you got to bring some. And I think they’re going to bring some on Monday night.

Access Vikings Podcast

There are all sorts of interesting storylines keys to watch for, entering Monday’s much-anticipated contest, including the debut of JJ McCarthy and whatever Kevin O’Connell’s version of a “ground and pound” running game will look like.

But of all the places to get insider analysis and expert predictions, local beat writers and content creators remain the unquestioned No. 1 source. After all, they are the media members who hang around the team on a regular basis. Many of them also receive information from sources close to the team that nobody else has access to.

Thus, it is worth wrangling up the picks and predictions of said writers and content creators, in order to get the best feel for how each upcoming Minnesota Vikings game might play out.

To add context, we’ve also included picks and predictions from popular national media outlets, who do not follow the Vikings as closely as those on the local beat. That will allow you to compare and contrast how local media views the MN Vikings vs those in the national space.

Week 1 Minnesota Vikings local beat writer & media predictions

• Ben Goessling (Star Tribune) – Vikings 17, Bears 13

As much as Monday night is about McCarthy’s debut on national TV, it’s also a checkpoint for Williams…Expect the Vikings to come after Williams throughout the night. If they can keep him from repeating the escape acts he staged at Soldier Field last year, they should extend their winning streak in the stadium, their house of horrors for much of the century, to a once-unthinkable six games. — Star Tribune

• Dane Mizutani (Pioneer Press) – Vikings 20, Bears 17

JJ McCarthy grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, roughly 30 minutes from Soldier Field. He will do just enough to win his highly anticipated NFL debut against the team he grew up cheering for. — Pioneer Press (physical paper only)

Related: Vikings vs Bears Preview + Game Day Cheat Sheet

• John Shipley (Pioneer Press) – Vikings 21, Bears 19

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has a year under his belt, but if J.J. McCarthy is the guy Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah insist he is, the Vikings’ overall depth will be enough to win their opener. — Pioneer Press (physical paper only)

• Matthew Coller (Purple Insider) – Vikings 24, Bears 17

I’ll go Vikings, something in the 24-17 ballpark. With both QBs having a ton of pressure on them and neither team really knowing what the other is going to do schematically, I’m thinking that the better roster is going to win out. — Purple Insider

Monday Night Football – Vikings vs Bears national predictions

• ESPN – 6 of 11 experts pick Vikings
  • Sonia Bell – Vikings
  • Mike Clay – Bears
  • Jeremy Fowler – Vikings
  • Dan Graziano – Vikings
  • Kalyn Kahler – Vikings
  • Matt Bowen – Bears
  • Pamela Maldonado – Bears
  • Eric Moody – Bears
  • Seth Walder – Bears
  • Seth Wickersham – Vikings

Williams finally has a real offense with which to work. Johnson’s system brings heavy play-action, and protection upgrades with Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson will give Williams time to operate and attack downfield. With DJ Moore, Odunze, Burden and Loveland, Chicago now has a complete group of pass-catching options capable of stressing Minnesota’s secondary.

Defensively, the Bears’ revamped front should help neutralize the backfield duo of Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason, and force McCarthy into tough throws. At home, facing a quarterback making his NFL regular-season debut, Chicago has the roster, scheme and edge to start 1-0. It just needs to execute. — Pamela Maldonado

Related: It’s Pretty Much a Contract Year for One Key Vikings Pass-Catcher

• The Athletic – 3 of 8 experts pick Vikings
  • Joe Buscaglia – Bears
  • Chad Graff – Vikings
  • Larry Holder – Bears
  • Josh Kendall – Vikings
  • Nick Kosmider – Bears
  • Austin Mock – Bears
  • Zack Rosenblatt – Vikings
  • Josiah Turner – Bears

Bears fans can pretend last year never happened. Quarterback Caleb Williams starts fresh with a dramatically improved offensive line, two more pass-catching weapons, and the league’s most celebrated offensive mind calling the shots. For the first time, the franchise appears committed to pushing forward rather than simply making defensible decisions.

Across the field, the Vikings get to deploy J.J. McCarthy after losing his first season to injury. McCarthy has more hype than is perhaps reasonable for a player who still hasn’t seen an NFL game, but those who’ve seen him in action insist the young man can ball. — The Athletic

• MMQB (Sports Illustrated) – 6 of 7 experts pick Vikings
  • Albert Breer – Vikings
  • Conor Orr – Vikings
  • Gilberto Manzano – Vikings
  • Matt Verderami – Vikings
  • John Pluym – Vikings
  • Mitch Goldich – Bears
  • Claire Brennan – Vikings

All that anxiousness locally has only grown heavier over the last few days, while MN Vikings fans watched and waited impatiently for 30 other teams to play out week one of the 2025 NFL regular season.

Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears Cheatsheet

But now we are finally here, just hours away from week 1’s Monday Night Football grand finale in the Windy City between the Vikings and one of three NFC North rivals to the east, the Chicago Bears.

Below is a pregame cheat sheet that includes how to watch/listen to the game, along with up-to-date injuries and uniform numbers for each new Minnesota Vikings player. Below that, we will get into tonight’s key storylines and matchups.

How to watch and/or listen to MNF: Vikings vs Bears

• Kickoff Time: 7:15 PM
• Channel: ESPN, ABC | ESPN2 (Alternate “Manningcast”)
  • PBP: Joe Buck, Analyst: Troy Aikman
• Stream: ESPN App
• Listen: KFAN Radio – 100.3 FM
  • *Stream radio broadcast on iHeartRadio

** For more, visit our Minnesota Vikings game today post, which includes current betting lines, how to watch and more

Vikings vs Bears latest injury updates

The Minnesota Vikings have been dealing with injuries up and down the roster, throughout training camp and the preseason. After sitting out with a hamstring injury for most of the summer, Justin Jefferson was not on any of the Vikings injury reports that came out this week.

Others starters who have been banged up — including Jalen Nailor and Andrew Van Ginkel — all plan to play, asa well. The only starter officially ruled out due to illness/injury is veteran safety Harrison Smith, while left tackle Christian Darrisaw enters the day as “questionable”.

S Harrison Smith (illness) has been downgraded to out and will not travel with the team. pic.twitter.com/ZU92QFc9rk

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 7, 2025

#MINvsCHI final injury report

OUT: Zavier Scott and Elijah Williams

DOUBTFUL: Harrison Smith

QUESTIONABLE: Christian Darrisaw pic.twitter.com/7IbuPOIiDB

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 6, 2025

Harrison Smith tried, but failed to get his body ready for week one, following a weeks-long battle with a mysterious illness that we still know very little about. By all accounts, he’s fine mentally and should be ready to go for week two. Any injury updates throughout the day will be added to this article.

New Minnesota Vikings uniform numbers

MN Vikings uniform number changes for 2025

• WR Myles Price: #4 (was #31)
• CB Dwight McGlothern: #6 (was #29)
• OLB Bo Richter: #98 (was #54)

Vikings vs Bears Top Storylines and Keys to Victory

Before this one kicks off at 7:15 PM, here is a quick preview/review of key matchups, storylines and other items to help Minnesota Vikings fans catch up on anything should know and watch for, heading into this division matchup against the Bears.

The debut of JJ McCarthy

There is no arguing tonight’s top storyline. After sitting out all of 2024 due to a torn meniscus, Minnesota’s No. 10 overall pick from last year’s NFL Draft will finally take his first regular season snap tonight vs the Chicago Bears, the team the grew up cheering for as a kid, just 30 minutes outside Chicago.

McCarthy has looked good during training camp and in the little preseason work he was allowed. Still, people fear the unknown. The Vikings have one of the best overall rosters in the NFL, but until JJ proves he can competently lead them, your belief in the Vikings resides in your blind faith in the redshirt rookie QB.

JJ McCarthy last 5 games played:

•Snapped Vikings’ 10-game preseason losing streak

•Won the natty

•Sent Nick Saban into retirement

•Won B1G title

•Beat Ohio State. Again.

pic.twitter.com/WMYFwOWZNd

— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) August 9, 2025

Related: How JJ McCarthy Saved Himself from Pandemic-Induced Depression

Before you let that MN sports fan anxiety kick in, though, let’s remember that Kevin O’Connell might be the greatest QB coaching mind in the league right now. And he essentially stiff armed three current starting quarterbacks, in favor of McCarthy — Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones and Aaron Rodgers.

So if KOC believes, then we should too… right? Those kinds of questions will finally start to die off tonight, when we get to see our new franchise QB throw the ball, make pre-snap decisions, post-snap reads and finally show the world for himself whether or not he is cut out for this job.

Kevin O’Connell’s “New Look” Offense (with Adam Thielen)

Knowing JJ McCarthy was taking over under center, MN Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has committed very publicly to run the ball more. McCarthy wasn’t a volume passer at Michigan and the Vikings want to bring him along slowly.

To help ensure the historically pass-happy play-caller keeps his ground and pound promise, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah rebuilt Minnesota’s offensive line and traded another starting running back, Jordan Mason, to help tag-team carries with now 30-year-old Aaron Jones.

Vikings RB Jordan Mason pic.twitter.com/s3APE2xYVt

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) July 20, 2025

Related: NFL Insider Officially OUT on Vikings

But as the saying goes, it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Once bodies start flying around on Monday night, does KOC stick to the ground game, or revert back to old habits? And how does JJ McCarthy’s live performance make an impact on playcalling? Tonight, we’ll get some answers to that 2025 question, and much more.

Minnesota would’ve been forced to rely even heavier on the ground attack, had they not pulled off a last-minute trade with the Carolina Panthers at the end of training camp, that brought Adam Thielen back home. With Jordan Addison out serving a three-game suspension, Thielen will lineup opposite Jefferson, as WR2.

There have been whispers that he might be washed and retirement is reportedly right around the corner, as we all wait with baited breath to find out how open a 35-year-old overachiever can still get in KOC’s offense.

Brian Flores vs Ben Johnson

Minnesota Vikings DC Brian Flores is widely considered one of the two or three best defensive coordinators in the NFL. Ben Johnson, after three very successful seasons as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, is in his first year as Chicago Bears head coach.

While in Detroit, Johnson was one of the only offensive play-callers in the NFL who seemed to have Brian Flores’ defense figured out. The Lions scored 30 points on the Vikings in both of their 2023 matchups, then put up 31 in both games last season. Oh, and Minnesota took L’s in all four.

Brian Flores VS. Ben Johnson

I LOVE THE NFL pic.twitter.com/taeNYaJa0p

— Albear (@ChicagoBears_mx) January 6, 2025

To make the matchup scarier, the Vikings enter tonight’s game with just four cornerbacks on the active 53-man roster, only one of which was a starter last season. Can the new-look Minnesota pass rush get home and create enough havoc to make life difficult on Williams? If not, all signs point to a tough day on defense for the Vikings.

To add some fuel onto a fire that doesn’t need any extra, it’s worth noting that there has been very little interest in Brian Flores on the head coaching carousel in recent years, despite his semi-successful head coaching background and smothering defensive schemes.

Related: It’s Pretty Much a Contract Year for One Key Vikings Pass-Catcher

An active lawsuit against the league and past QB coaching drama will do that even to the best coaches. Nonetheless, it has to bother Flores a bit that Ben Johnson was the Bell of last offseason’s head coaching carousel.

Unlike Flores, who got a couple preliminary interviews only, Ben had his choice of just about any head coaching vacancy in the league. Ultimately, he chose the Bears and 2024 No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams. I can’t imagine Flores would love anything more than to show up Johnson with the entire nation and league watching.

Then, a month later (Sept. 8), Kevin O’Connell & Co will kick off the 2025 regular season on Monday Night Football, against the division rival Chicago Bears. They’ll tell us not to overreact to week one, but that’ll be easier said than done, after what (god-willing) will be the regular season debut of medical redshirt rookie QB, JJ McCarthy.

Not only is the 22-year-old‘s first NFL game scheduled to take place on the biggest weekly stage in all of sports, but he’ll do it in his home state of Illinois. In fact, McCarthy grew up in Evanston, IL, which is less than an hour drive up the coast of Lake Michigan from Soldier Field.

Will immense pressure weigh on JJ McCarthy during MN Vikings debut week 1?

Will the pressure of that 1.5 months from now have an effect on JJ McCarthy’s ability to play football that evening? Minnesota Vikings beat writer Alec Lewis (The Athletic) asked that question to some of the quarterback’s former coaches and trainers, who would know best.

Every single one had the same response. That the Vikings’ new quarterback was built for moments like week one of the 2025 NFL season. Since he was a kid, McCarthy has been watching, reading and listening to people who motivate him, from Michael Jordan to Tom Brady to random CEOs who give incredible YouTube presentations.

These lines sound straight out of the computation notebook McCarthy began compiling years ago. He would read quotes from Michael Jordan and scribble them down. Late at night, lying in bed, he’d hang on every word of a motivational speech from some revered business executive or renowned psychologist. The following day, his parents, Jim and Megan, would find advice jotted on the whiteboard in his room.

At IMG, McCarthy begged coaches to give him more responsibility. As in, “Send me the practice plan before tomorrow.” As in, “Allow me to make checks at the line of scrimmage — please.” The school’s quarterbacks coach, Kurt Gould, would leave his laptop open at night so McCarthy could log in to the film platform.

The Athletic

Related: JJ McCarthy Says He’s Ready to Start for the MN Vikings… Plus Much More

At every level, JJ has surprised his coaches and those around him by the way he prepares and the consistency he brings to the locker room day in and day out. In his article at The Athletic — which I caution, will make you run through the nearest wall — Lewis’ main source of background information is McCarthy’s longtime individual QB coach, Greg Holcomb.

Confirmed: JJ McCarthy wants all the pressure

The two have been working together since the summer between JJ’s 7th and 8th grade years of middle school. And if there is one thing that Greg has learned in his seven-eight years of working with the highest drafted quarterback in Minnesota Vikings franchise history, is that no moment is ever too big for this kid.

When [Holcomb] is asked how he thinks McCarthy will manage the mayhem [of week 1], he answers the same way so many of McCarthy’s former coaches and teammates do.

It’s not, “He’ll be fine.” It’s more forceful, like, “I can’t tell you how much I’d bet on that kid.”

“I don’t think it feels like weight to him,” Holcomb said.

Then what does it feel like?

“Another opportunity to do something great.”

The Athletic

JJ McCarthy really tore Bama up in the Rose Bowl

27-1 as a starter
3x Big Ten Champion
National Champion
Big Ten QB of the year
Top 10 pick

GREATEST QB in Michigan History #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/rp1ucYYHKZ

— Underwood Unleashed (@Underwood_szn) July 18, 2025

These are only a couple of the stories that Alec Lewis compiled for his latest write up on JJ McCarthy, which dropped Monday morning. There’s another IMG Academy story in there where his coaches saw him out standing in the middle of the football stadium, after the lights had been turned out.

Why? He had his playbook down there with him and he was walking through the next game’s script by himself, taking “imaginary snaps” and going through the reads of each play. Again, if you have a spare wall handy, I’d highly recommend reading Lewis’ entire article.

Because once you do, you’ll walk away wondering if the Minnesota Vikings actually drafted the next Tom Brady, especially when it comes to preparation and the mental side of the game.

Ryan Poles, Chicago Bears nearly drafted JJ McCarthy over Caleb Williams

And apparently, Alec’s readers aren’t the only ones. Also included within the piece is a supposed conversation between McCarthy’s aforementioned individual QB coach, Greg Holcomb and Chicago Bears general manager, Ryan Poles.

It came during a middle school quarterbacks camp that Holcomb was hosting and Poles was attending. According to the well-known QB whisperer, that’s when the subject of JJ McCarthy came up and Chicago’s GM let it slip that the Bears nearly shocked the football world at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft, where they seriously considered selecting McCarthy over consensus No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams.

During a changeover at the camp, Holcomb approached Poles and introduced himself. They found their way to the subject of McCarthy.

“He was talking about how much they (the Bears) loved J.J.,” Holcomb said. “And said to me, ‘I don’t think people realize how close we were to possibly taking him.’ Obviously, they love (No. 1 pick) Caleb (Williams), but I thought that was interesting.”

The Athletic

There are nearly 1000 words in this article already, between myself and Alec, and neither of us touched on the incredible National Championship-winning career he had at Michigan. Let’s not forget that none of these stories matter if JJ McCarthy didn’t develop into an elite quarterback, which he absolutely did.

As a senior for the Wolverines, while his head coach and the entire program was embroiled in one of the most historic cheating scandals in all of sports history, McCarthy tuned out the noise and lead Michigan to a National Championship.

Related: Minnesota Vikings No Longer Babying JJ McCarthy

His haters will say he didn’t have to do much, behind such a great defense and running game. But he was the emotional and spiritual leader of a bunch that needed it desperately in that moment.

Oh, and he finished with one of the most efficient quarterback seasons in CFB history, throwing for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions, on 72.3% passing.

JJ McCarthy is the most efficient QB in the country. Here are his week 7 highlights vs Indiana pic.twitter.com/bG7RmGng6y

— JD 〽️ (@MGoJDBlue) October 17, 2023

It was just last fall that the MN Vikings gave up on 2022 second round draft pick Andrew Booth Jr, trading the 24-year-old second round cornerback to Dallas for 2021 third round cornerback Nahshon Wright. Unfortunately, Booth didn’t make it to the end of the Cowboys’ 2024 regular season. He was cut at the end of November.

While Wright lasted longer with the MN Vikings, it wasn’t by much. On Monday, the 26-year-old out of Oregon State was released by Minnesota, making him a free agent. But Wright didn’t last very long on the open market.

Former Minnesota Vikings cornerback signed by Bears

Just one day after being cut loose by the Vikings, not only does Nahshon Wright have a new employer, but he’s back in the NFC North. On Tuesday, Wright signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears.

The Bears signed DB Nahshon Wright to a one-year contract. Wright was released by Minnesota yesterday.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) April 8, 2025

After landing in Minnesota last preseason, Wright played in only one game as a Viking, recording 15 snaps on special teams in week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals. In his four-year NFL career, Nahshon has played in 33 total games, 32 of them with Dallas, including three starts between 2021 and 2022.

In total, Wright has recorded 37 tackles, 1 interception and 5 passes defended in his young NFL career. After releasing Wright, the Minnesota Vikings have newly re-signed Byron Murphy Jr at the top of their CB depth chart along with Mekhi Blackmon, Najee Thompson and free agent signings, Isaiah Rodgers, Jeff Okudah, and Tavierre Thomas.

After two years under center, Teddy appeared to be taking the next step in his quarterback development during the 2016 preseason. Until… disaster struck during a late preseason practice. Out of nowhere, news broke that Bridgewater had suffered a knee injury so brutal that not only was his season over, but the moment required fast thinking from then head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman, just to save Teddy B’s leg.

How Case Keenum became the Minnesota Vikings default miracle QB

So on September 3, less than a week after Bridgewater marched up and down the preseason field vs the San Diego Chargers in the Vikings’ third preseason game that year (August 28), then GM Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer sent a 1st round draft pick tp the Eagles for injury-riddled former No. 1 overall pick, Sam Bradford.

His task? To immediately assume the QB1 role for a playoff caliber MN Vikings team, having arrived in Minnesota just one week prior to the start of the regular season. After two brilliant starts to open the season, Bradford’s body failed him yet again. Enter Case Keenum, who then assumed the QB1 role for the purple.

Unfortunately, the former University of Houston superstar and all-time NCAA career leader in passing yards, touchdowns and completions couldn’t help keep the Minnesota Vikings 2016 ship afloat. He went 4-5 in 9 starts and the Vikings missed the playoffs at 8-8. That brings us to 2017, where Keenum cemented himself in Valhalla forever.

Stefon Diggs may be the player everyone remembers from the Minneapolis Miracle. He caught the pass, he stayed in bounds, he ran up the field, threw his helmet, got mobbed… etc. But it was Case Keenum who threw the miracle pass and who got the Vikings into that position on the field in the first place.

Seven years ago today…

A Miracle took place in Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/qGPpNPI1yH

— NFL (@NFL) January 14, 2025

Keenum was far from a perfect quarterback, as a Viking. He drew 23 total starts over two seasons, including 14 starts as Minnesota’s main starter in 2017, a season in which he threw for 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions, far and away the best season of his career.

Keenum signs with Chicago Bears for 2025

Unfortunately, Keenum and Minnesota Vikings flopped the next week in Philadelphia, a loss that resulted in the signing of Kirk Cousins and hiring of John DeFilippo a couple months later.

Nonetheless, Case Keenum has remained in the NFL, since leaving the Vikings. He earned one more starting gig in Denver, the next season, and has since been a backup for four different teams. This year, he’ll add a fifth, after quietly signing with the Chicago Bears for one year and up to $3 million on Thursday.

Veteran QB Case Keenum is signing a one-year deal worth up to $3 million with the Chicago Bears, per source. Keenum now will help mentor Caleb Williams in Chicago like he did for CJ Stroud in Houston. pic.twitter.com/4wDG8s3RRT

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 3, 2025

After spending the last two seasons with the Houston Texans, Keenum takes his talents to another roster where he can help mentor a young quarterback, Caleb Williams. Keenum last played an NFL game when he started twice in the place of C.J. Stroud, in 2023.

He completed 64.2% of his passes in those games, to go with just 1 TD and 3 INTs. Last year, Case Keenum suffered a foot injury that placed him on season-ending injured reserve. The $3 million contract from Chicago is the same amount he made last season with the Texans.

Related: Rival Execs Continue to Question Minnesota Vikings Power Structure

It’s a far cry from the $18 million Denver handed him as a starter following his big year in Minnesota. Still, the journeyman is looking at career earnings nearing $60 million, a number nobody needs to be embarrassed by, no matter the profession. Remember, while he may have set a bunch of college records at Houston, he entered the league undrafted in 2011.

Case Keenum: The young QB mentor

In Chicago, Keenum will join Caleb Williams in the Bears QB room, now operated by first-year head coach Ben Johnson, who is coming over from Detroit and is now tasked with getting the best out of the 2024 first overall pick. Having Keenum there to help should make that job easier.

Keenum has become a favorite for teams looking for a veteran QB to help bring along a young franchise QB. For the Cleveland Browns, he worked with Baker Mayfield. In Buffalo, it was Josh Allen. Then, the aforementioned CJ Stroud and now Caleb Williams.

Keenum will now see his former employer twice in 2025, assuming he makes the final squad out of training camp. It will be a nice little reunion for a guy that certainly has fond memories of U.S. Bank Stadium and the Minnesota Vikings organization, as a whole.

If we believe what the Vikings are selling us, then gone (supposedly) are the days where we watch Ed Ingram, Dalton Risner and Blake Brandel fail to open holes for Vikings running backs and get bowled over by more talented defensive tackles.

So too, according to head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, are weekends where defensive coordinator Brian Flores has to constantly scheme up unimaginable blitz packages and hide box numbers every week, in order to get pressure on the QB and slow opposing running backs.

But, it appears we will have to wait until the free agency negotiating period begins on March 10, before we learn who the Minnesota Vikings will upgrade with. The same cannot be said for the Chicago Bears, though, who also entered the offseason with major issues on their interior offensive line. Not anymore.

Chicago Bears trade for two top offensive guards – Minnesota Vikings choose patience

They were not willing to wait until bidding wars get started next week. Instead, the Bears have completed trades for two guards — Jonah Jackson (Rams) Joe Thuney (Chiefs). Jackson was given permission to seek a trade out of LA last week, and did just that. The Thuney trade is a bit more surprising, but he too is entering the final year of his current deal.

In 24 hours, the Bears now have agreed to trade a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Rams for Jonah Jackson and a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Chiefs for Joe Thuney.

Bears are sparing no expense to protect Caleb Williams. pic.twitter.com/IW1OLfdfVJ

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2025

Bears trade 4th round pick for Joe Thuney

Joe Thuney is 32 years old. He is a former 3rd round pick of the New England Patriots back in 2016. Since being drafted, he has been one of the best and most reliable guards in the NFL for two different teams. Since his sophomore season, Thuney has never posted a PFF grade lower than 74.4.

Related: New Perfect Fit Trade Targets Come Available for Vikings

Last season, he got an 80.0 overall grade, his second best ever. Thuney has a massive $26.9 million cap hit this season, the final year of his current five-year $80 million contract, but it’s very possible he and the Bears work out an extension before the offseason is over.

Bears trade 6th round pick for Jonah Jackson

Jonah Jackson, 28, is a former third round pick by the Detroit Lions, so he has familiarity in the NFC North. In 2024, after signing a three-year, $51 million contact with the Rams last offseason, he ended up playing just four games because he was usurped on the roster by second-year guard out of TCU, Steve Avila.

Jackson has a $14.6 million cap hit in 2025. The Bears are banking on Jackson’s falling out with the Rams as more of a credit to Avila, than a detriment on Jackson, but that has yet to be proven. In week 18 last season vs the Seahawks, Jonah Jackson was on a mission to prove he’s a starter, posting a 91.8 PFF grade, which may have helped convince the Bears to deal for him.

We’ll find out who did the right thing, in time. But the Minnesota Vikings don’t have much of a choice, other than patience. They do not have much for draft capital to trade away, even if they wanted to pull a move like what the Bears did. There’s no doubting whose O-line currently looks better, though.

But wait, there’s more. The Detroit Lions finally lost their second game of the season, too, opening the door for Minnesota, in multiple ways. So… you’re telling me there’s a chance? That’s right, by the time Monday morning rolled around, the Vikings held their playoff future in their own hands.

Beat the Bears on Monday Night Football, and everything was still on the table. Win the final three games on their schedule, and the Minnesota Vikings will take the NFC North. They’d also claim the No. 1 seed in the 2024-25 playoffs, which comes with a 1st round bye.

Yes, everyone picked the 11-2 Vikings — a -7 point favorite at home — to beat a reeling 4-9 Bears team. But this is Minnesota, where wins rarely come easy. And at times on Monday night, it looked like that would again be the case.

What We Learned: Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears – Week 15

Fortunately, even though the Minnesota Vikings did not bring their A-game to U.S. Bank Stadium, the Bears proved multiple times that they indeed have very little interest in winning, right now. Chicago shot themselves in the foot just about every time a window of opportunity opened, which made it impossible to keep this a game, and the Vikings rolled to a 30-12 victory. So, what did we learn tonight?

Kevin O’Connell does not like running the football

We can probably slide this under the ‘things we already knew’ category, but the Minnesota Vikings head coach proved again on Monday just how much he dislikes running the football. Not only was his team leading vs the Bears from start to finish, but we also saw an unusually inaccurate Sam Darnold tonight, too, thanks to a pinky injury he suffered early on.

TV showed Sam Darnold appearing to hit his hand on a helmet during that 2-minute drive. Whether by coincidence or not, Darnold was trailed closely into the locker room by Tyler Williams, the Vikings' VP of player health and performance.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) December 17, 2024

So, with Aaron Jones averaging nearly 5 yards per carry, you’d think head coach and offensive play-caller Kevin O’Connell would want to ride his running game to a victory, right? Controlling the clock, wearing out Chicago’s defensive line and relying on a really good defense to stop a Bears offense that is not running on all cylinders would have made sense. But that isn’t how KOC rolls.

Instead, the Vikings entered halftime up 13-0 having thrown the football 24 times vs just 10 rushing attempts. But in that first half, Darnold hurt his right pinky, and had to wear some sort of bandage that affected his accuracy on multiple throws.

Related: NFL Exec Says ‘Talking Heads’ Do Not Understand How Much Vikings Love JJ McCarthy

Do you think that pushed O’Connell to run more, at the start of the 2nd half? Hell no, Darnold threw 11 passes in the 3rd quarter, vs just 7 rushing attempts for Jones (zero for anyone else). Finally, after the Minnesota Vikings went up 27-6 in the 4th quarter, KOC called off the dogs.

Still, Aaron Jones finished with only 18 carries, which he turned into 86 rushing yards on the night. Sam Darnold, meanwhile, ended 24-of-40 for 231 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He spread the ball around to all of his major weapons, but Justin Jefferson led the way with 7 catches for 73 yards and a TD that ended with a heartfelt shout out to Randy Moss, who announced a battle with cancer on Friday.

"We love you Randy, that's for you" 💜

Justin Jefferson showing love to Randy Moss after the TD 🥹 pic.twitter.com/fiSD5Vl4Df

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 17, 2024

If there is one thing O’Connell proved tonight, it’s that he will call pass plays until you force him to do otherwise. Tonight, it did not hurt him. Will it hurt him during the playoffs? We will find out, but it is worth noting that, when the Vikings do run lately, they have done it pretty effectively, as long as Aaron Jones holds onto the football.

Minnesota Vikings defense figured out Caleb Williams

The biggest difference in Monday night’s game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears was the way Brian Flores’ defense kept Caleb Williams in the pocket, while confusing him with different coverages and pre-snap looks.

Yes, the former USC star did throw one touchdown, late in the 4th quarter. But overall, the Vikings stuck with a four-man pressure and forced Williams to stay in the pocket, keep his eyes downfield and read coverages, which he struggled to do.

Related: So, the Minnesota Vikings Officially Clinched a Playoff Spot… Now What?

That resulted with the 2024 No. 1 overall pick holding onto the football FOREVER, at times, while waiting for receivers to get open downfield. And he wasn’t very successful with it, finishing 18-of-31 for 191 yards and a garbage time touchdown. The Vikings defense would have had another TD, had Andrew Van Ginkel not missed a block.

WHAT A HIT!@JonGreenard7 and @blockayyy team up for the strip-sack and fumble recovery.#ProBowlVote

📺: @ABC pic.twitter.com/PqY4f8fDQr

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 17, 2024

This, just a few weeks after the same rookie QB threw for 340 yards and 2 touchdowns, in Chicago. That afternoon, Williams killed the Vikings repeatedly by making plays with both his feet and his arm, after being forced out of the pocket by Minnesota’s pass rush.

Monday night, the Vikings’ pass rush was much more disciplined, and it paid dividends. The Bears were held scoreless during the first half, and went just 1-of-9 on 3rd downs (1-for-3 on 4th downs).

Bad teams find ways to lose

You don’t have to be a die-hard Minnesota Vikings fan to know tonight’s home team didn’t play its best game of the 2024 season. But when you play against bad teams, those opponents seem to find ways to lose, and that’s what we saw from the Chicago Bears in week 15.

Every time the Bears gave themselves a chance, there was a penalty or some other self-inflicted wound that nullified the play. That included a 3rd quarter touchdown that was erased because a sixth offensive lineman did not report to the referees as eligible on the play.

The Bears linemen forgot to report as an eligible receiver and the touchdown was taken off the board 😳pic.twitter.com/nch45GDNJU

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 17, 2024

A TD would have made the score 13-6, with an extra point yet to come. Instead, the Bears settled for a field goal. They didn’t find paydirt again until the game was already over, when Caleb Williams threw a garbage time touchdown to Keenan Allen that made the score 27-12.

Related: Sounds Like Kirk Cousins New Teammates are Ready to Move on Already

All season long, we’ve seen the Minnesota Vikings find ways to win games, even during weeks that they did not bring their best effort for all 60 minutes. Tonight, we were reminded of what it looks like when a team does the opposite, making losing plays at all the worst moments.