The Minnesota Vikings walked away with a gritty 16-13 win over the New York Giants in Week 16, but it came at a cost - rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy exited early with yet another injury scare. Still, before the setback, McCarthy was showing flashes of the poise and playmaking ability the Vikings hoped for when they made him a first-round pick.
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell on J.J. McCarthy's performance today. pic.twitter.com/IbPFgmE0wI
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 21, 2025
Head coach Kevin O’Connell didn’t mince words in his postgame remarks - he liked what he saw from his young quarterback. And it wasn’t just coach-speak. O’Connell pointed to McCarthy’s decision-making and command of the offense as signs of growth, even in a game that didn’t feature eye-popping numbers.
“You know what? I thought, again, he was in a rhythm of great decision-making early on,” O’Connell said.
That rhythm included a sharp out-route that unfortunately ended in a tipped-ball interception - not a poor read, just a tough break. But O’Connell highlighted McCarthy’s ability to bounce back, specifically calling out a decisive throw to Jordan Addison off play action and a third-down scramble that ended in a rushing touchdown.
Those are the kinds of plays that matter - not just for the stat sheet, but for building confidence in a young quarterback still finding his footing in the league. McCarthy finished with 108 passing yards, a rushing score, and a 64.2% completion rate - solid numbers in a game that didn’t offer much offensive rhythm from either side.
“He, in my opinion, was stacking, putting together a nice performance again,” O’Connell added. That’s been the theme lately - incremental progress, flashes of the upside, and the kind of composure under pressure that gives this coaching staff something to build on.
Of course, the injury is the big question now. McCarthy left the game with a hand injury on his throwing side, forcing backup Max Bosmer into action.
The good news? X-rays came back negative.
That’s a sigh of relief for a team still in the playoff hunt. But McCarthy’s availability for Week 17 remains uncertain as they prepare for a crucial divisional showdown with the Detroit Lions.
If McCarthy can go, the Vikings will hope he continues stacking those good moments. Because while the win over the Giants wasn’t pretty, it showed that this team - and its young quarterback - is learning how to fight through adversity.