NFL coach shares reminder about J.J. McCarthy after Vikings' win over Commanders

For a piece published on Dec. 2, ESPN's Ben Solak wrote that second-year Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy "doesn't have it" and "can't change his stripes" regarding what he will and won't be as a pro. 

McCarthy responded to such takes by producing the best game of his young career to guide Minnesota to a convincing 31-0 win over the Washington Commanders that improved the Vikings to 5-8 on Sunday. Following that game, one unnamed NFL coach from a different team spoke with Mike Sando of The Athletic about McCarthy's ongoing development. 

Vikings only know so much about J.J. McCarthy ahead of 2026

"There is nothing wrong with the truth," that coach explained. "J.J. is on the sixth start of his career, and it's going to take 30 til [sic] we know, so we don't have to bury anyone or crown them, either."

A 2024 first-round draft pick, McCarthy went 2-4 over his first six regular-season starts after he spent his rookie campaign recovering from a full meniscus repair and then missed time this fall due to an ankle injury and a concussion. Against Washington, he completed 16-of-23 passes for 163 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. According to Kevin Seifert of ESPN, McCarthy ended an NFL game without a turnover for the first time. 

"It's definitely reassuring," McCarthy said about his play versus the Commanders. "I always knew I had that, and I always knew the potential is there. But I'm looking at it right now, and there's so many ways I could get better. I'm so far from where I want to be, so it's just great to get the win and grow in this game."

Justin Jefferson pours cold water over concerns

Just last week, Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson admitted he was enduring "probably one of the most difficult seasons" of his career. That was before Jefferson tallied just two receptions for 11 yards against Washington, but he wasn't worried about his personal stats following the victory. 

"I’d rather win and not get the ball than lose and not get the ball," Jefferson said, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "As long as we’re winning, this team is coming in here with a smile on our face, and we have the confidence to continue on and better ourselves, and make sure that we continue this feeling. That’s the main objective."

The Vikings trail four teams in the battle for the NFC's final wild-card playoff berth. Minnesota will almost certainly spend the final four weeks of the season with 2026 in mind, but the Vikings could embrace the role of spoiler when they play at the 6-6-1 Dallas Cowboys for a "Sunday Night Football" game on Dec. 14. 

As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Minnesota as a six-point underdog against Dallas.