Justin Jefferson Makes Admission to Laura Rutledge After ‘Monday Night Football’

After Nahshon Wright’s 74-yard pick-six put the Bears up 17–6 in the third, the Vikings responded with a 13-yard touchdown to Jefferson, a 27-yard strike to Aaron Jones and a 14-yard keeper by McCarthy to seal it with 2:53 left on the clock.

McCarthy finished 13-of-20 for 143 yards with two passing scores, one interception and 25 rushing yards with a touchdown. In the process, the Vikings handed Bears coach Ben Johnson his first loss in his Chicago debut.

With the victory, McCarthy also became the first quarterback since Steve Young in 1985 to win his NFL debut after trailing by at least 10 points in the fourth quarter. He also joined Fran Tarkenton as the only Vikings quarterbacks with multiple touchdowns in their debuts and set an NFL mark by accounting for three fourth-quarter touchdowns in his first start.

Drafted 10th overall last year, McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus suffered in the preseason, while Sam Darnold started all 17 games and led Minnesota to the playoffs.

Now, the Vikings have pivoted fully to McCarthy.

Prior to the NFL, McCarthy went 27–1 as Michigan’s starter, leading the Wolverines to three straight Big Ten titles, three CFP berths and the 2023 national championship.

In 2023, he completed 72.3% for 2,991 yards with 22 touchdowns to four interceptions, earning Big Ten Quarterback of the Year and Rose Bowl Offensive MVP honors.

He finished his college career with 6,226 passing yards and 49 touchdowns, plus 632 rushing yards and 10 rushing scores.