Vikings Upset Cowboys, But Questions Around J.J. McCarthy Persist - Especially From Cris Carter
The Minnesota Vikings may be out of the playoff hunt, but don’t tell them that on a Sunday night in December. In a prime-time showdown against the Dallas Cowboys, the Vikings played with pride and purpose, pulling off a gritty win that reminded fans this team still has fight - even with the postseason off the table.
At the center of it all was J.J. McCarthy, a young quarterback still finding his footing in the NFL.
This wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was one of McCarthy’s better outings of the season - a 250-yard effort that showed flashes of what the Vikings hoped they were getting when they handed him the keys. But for a team that’s now 6-8 and looking ahead rather than up, these final games are about more than just wins and losses.
They're about development. Growth.
Proof of concept.
McCarthy gave them a little of that against Dallas. But not everyone’s sold - and one of the franchise’s all-time greats is making that clear.
Cris Carter Still Has Doubts About McCarthy
Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter has never been one to sugarcoat things, and when it comes to the Vikings’ quarterback situation, he’s not exactly brimming with optimism. Speaking on Monday morning with Kay Adams, Carter laid out his concerns - not just about McCarthy’s play, but about how it’s affecting the team’s biggest star: Justin Jefferson.
“This is the first time during JJ’s career - and I mean Justin Jefferson - that they can’t attack the full field,” Carter explained. “Since his rookie year in KOC’s offense, they’ve been able to take deep shots, especially off play action.
But now? It’s not the same.”
Carter pointed to Jefferson’s numbers, which have taken a noticeable dip this season. He sees a player who’s pressing, trying to do too much, and not getting the kind of quarterback play that allows him to be the game-breaking threat fans are used to.
And Carter would know. With nearly 14,000 career receiving yards, he understands what it takes to thrive as a top-tier wideout - and what kind of quarterback play is required to support that level of production.
He also drew a comparison to another Vikings legend: Randy Moss.
“When things got difficult - and they only got difficult with inconsistency at quarterback - Moss had similar frustrations,” Carter said. “It’s hard to be that guy when the ball’s not getting there.”
Jefferson Playing the Long Game
Despite the struggles, Carter made it clear that Jefferson is handling things the right way. The All-Pro wideout isn’t pointing fingers publicly.
He’s not creating drama. In fact, he’s doing the opposite - staying aligned with head coach Kevin O’Connell and continuing to lead by example.
“KOC is doing a great job meeting with him weekly,” Carter said. “JJ is saying all the right things.
He knows what’s going on. He’s staying on the same page with KOC, and that’s the most important thing for him right now.”
That leadership has been evident all season. Jefferson signed a contract extension without making waves, and even as the quarterback carousel spun through names like Carson Wentz and Nick Mullens before landing on McCarthy, he’s kept his focus on the field.
But the numbers don’t lie. Against Dallas, Jefferson was targeted eight times and came away with just two catches for 22 yards. That’s not just a quiet night - it’s a glaring sign that the chemistry between quarterback and receiver still isn’t there.
And now, Jefferson’s once-historic pace has taken a hit. After Sunday’s game, he no longer holds the NFL record for most receiving yards per game in league history. That title now belongs to Rams rookie Puka Nacua.
A Franchise at a Crossroads
The Vikings have some big decisions to make this offseason, especially at quarterback. McCarthy’s development is obviously a priority, but when you have a generational talent like Jefferson - one who’s already proven he can carry an offense when given the chance - the clock is ticking.
Carter’s message wasn’t just about stats or a single game. It was about trajectory. About making sure the Vikings don’t waste the prime years of one of the best receivers in football.
McCarthy still has time to prove he’s the guy. Sunday night was a step in the right direction.
But if you’re listening to the voices around the team - especially one as respected as Cris Carter - there’s a growing urgency to get this right. Because while the Vikings might be playing out the string, the stakes for their future couldn’t be higher.