According to ESPN Research, McCarthy became the first quarterback in league history to account for three fourth-quarter touchdowns in his NFL debut. The league’s own research department found McCarthy was the first starting QB with a fourth-quarter comeback of 10-plus points in his debut since Hall of Famer Steve Young in 1985.
“I told him at halftime, ‘You are going to bring us back to win this game.’” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “And the look in his eye was fantastic. The best thing is just the belief I felt from the team, the unit, and ultimately, that doesn’t get done without him in the second half, two passing touchdowns and then the critical rushing touchdown at the end.”
McCarthy finished 13-for-20 for 143 yards, two touchdowns and the interception, while running twice for 25 yards and the decisive score. The Vikings ran just 19 plays in the first half, when they had only two first downs and failed to convert any of their five third-down attempts. But they gained 169 yards in the fourth quarter, while their defense forced four second-half punts, Eric Wilson blocked a punt and Myles Price had three punt returns of 15 yards or more.
“You don’t win a game like that unless it’s all three phases finding a way,” O’Connell said.
But for his preseason debut against the Raiders in 2024 and the one series he played in the 2025 preseason opener against the Texans, McCarthy hadn’t played since he led Michigan to a national championship on Jan. 8, 2024. The Vikings opted to safeguard against injury in the rest of this preseason.
His relative inexperience with the offense showed up early, no doubt magnified by left tackle Christian Darrisaw’s absence. McCarthy held the ball trying to decipher coverages and was sacked on the game’s first series.
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