The circumstances surrounding J.J. McCarthy and his journey through the NFL to this point make it easy to forget an important part of his story: The 22-year-old quarterback has rarely lost.

It only happened to McCarthy twice as a starter in high school at Nazareth Academy, then once as a starter in college at the University of Michigan. His ability to respond throughout his rise up the ranks revealed an “It Factor” that played a role in the Vikings taking him with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

That will be put to the test amid McCarthy’s latest bout with adversity. Not only will whatever happens next define the Vikings in the present, but, for better or worse, it will help define McCarthy in the future.

Though the sample size is still too small to make any sweeping declarations

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