J.J. McCarthy failed to deliver on pregame promise in loss to Packers

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy failed to deliver on pregame promise in terrible performance against Packers

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Nov 23, 2025 4:47 PM ET

Before his Week 12 game against the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy indicated he was due for a breakout performance.

Heading into Sunday's game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, the Michigan product compared his potential breakthrough to a "cork about to come off a bottle." However, there should be no bottle popping in Minnesota's locker room after McCarthy and the offense turned in a disastrous performance against Green Bay.

J.J. McCarthy flopped against the Packers

In a 23-6 loss to Green Bay, McCarthy finished 12-of-19 passing for a season-low 87 yards and two interceptions. The first pick wasn't entirely his fault, as his arm was hit as he threw, forcing an inaccurate pass. The second, though, was a baffling throw from the 22-year-old QB.

On a second-and-5 at Minnesota's 33-yard line late in the fourth quarter, McCarthy dropped back and overthrew Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor, and Packers second-year safety Evan Williams caught the ball.

Another game, another Williams INT

: FOX pic.twitter.com/vB2G6ul5l9
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 23, 2025

The play highlights something that has many Vikings fans wondering if McCarthy will develop into a franchise QB: his inaccuracy. Entering Sunday's game against Green Bay, he had completed 52.9 percent of his passes in five games, well below the league average.

To be fair to McCarthy, he was facing one of the best defenses in the NFL. Entering Week 12, Green Bay ranked 10th in the league in passing yards allowed (195.3).

Plus, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has taken blame for some of McCarthy's early struggles. After a 19-17 loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 11, the coach said he must do a better job managing the offense.

But O'Connell has a proven track record as a QB guru. Last season, former New York Jets bust Sam Darnold finished fifth in the league in TD passes (35) in his only season under the coach. Before that, he had never tossed more than 19 TD passes in a season.

It's still early for McCarthy, but if he doesn't show more soon, Minnesota should consider adding another QB this offseason. Sunday's performance raises more questions about whether the cork will pop for the offensive signal-caller.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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