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NFL Announces Punishment for Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Jan 10, 2026 4:32 PM ET

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy's second season in the NFL ended on a bad note, even though the Vikings beat their NFC North rivals, the Green Bay Packers, in Week 18.

In the 16-3 home win to end the season, McCarthy completed 14 of 23 passes for 182 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. He finished the 2025 season with 1,632 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

McCarthy was limited to 10 games this year because of multiple injuries after missing all of the 2024 season with a torn meniscus. As he enters his second NFL offseason, the 22-year-old got hit with a fine by the NFL for his actions in the final game against the Packers.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) reacts during a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.© Yannick Peterhans / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On the Vikings' opening drive last Sunday, McCarthy picked up six yards on a bruising first-down scramble. He stiff armed Packers linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper, then lowered his shoulder on Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon as he went out of bounds.

McCarthy got in Nixon's face after the play, drawing an immediate flag from the down judge for taunting. The Vikings were penalized 15 yards on the play, and it left McCarthy vulnerable to a fine from the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The NFL fined Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy $11,593 for unsportsmanlike conduct — taunting Packers CB Keisean Nixon after lowering his shoulder last week.

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— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 10, 2026

The standard punishment for a first-time taunting offense is $11,593, and that is exactly what McCarthy was fined on Saturday when the NFL released its weekly gameday accountability report. It was the first fine of McCarthy's NFL career.

The Vikings quarterback is signed to a four-year, $21.8 million contract, so he should not have any trouble paying for the fine. Although it appeared to be a fairly open-and-shut case, McCarthy does have the right to appeal the fine if he chooses.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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