EAGAN, Minn. — It’s been nearly seven weeks since second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy made his NFL debut while playing under the national spotlight in Chicago.

Through three quarters that night, the No. 10 overall pick in 2024 missed receivers, rushed his reads and looked every bit like a quarterback playing in his first professional game. The low point came when he was picked off early in the third quarter by cornerback Nashon Wright, who then returned the interception 74 yards into the end zone.

Then something clicked .

Unfazed by the first 45 minutes, McCarthy led the Vikings on a six-play, 60-yard scoring drive, capped off by a tight throw to receiver Justin Jefferson for his first career passing touchdown. He followed that up with a 27-yard touchdown pass to running back Aaron

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