Skip to main content
Join Now

Connor Stalions reacts to JJ McCarthy's go-ahead touchdown pass on Monday Night Football vs. Bears

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh09/09/25griffin_mcveigh
jj mccarthy (1)
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

JJ McCarthy did not look great early in his first-ever NFL start. The Minnesota Vikings’ rookie quarterback had a tough first half before starting out the third quarter with a pick-six. Since then, he has been incredible and now has the Vikings ahead inside 10 minutes remaining.

Reaction on social media, both positive and negative, has rolled in. One came from Connor Stalions, using a GIF to reveal how many Michigan fans are probably feeling at the moment. The go-ahead drive is more of the McCarthy they are used to seeing.

McCarthy got his NFL account open by throwing a touchdown to Justin Jefferson, putting Minnesota down by five. Less than three minutes later, McCarthy connected with running back Aaron Jones on a wheel route to take the lead. Quite the turnaround after looking disastrous for two quarters and some change.

Stalions saw plenty of this in Ann Arbor. After all, there is a reason McCarthy was an early draft pick of the Vikings, fresh off a national championship with Michigan. Head coach Kevin O’Connell felt like Minnesota could replicate similar success with McCarthy under center.

“JJ’s ability to extend plays with his feet has always been a separator for him,” Stalions said via X. “But man, he stood tall in the pocket under pressure all night and delivered. 3 TDs in a 2-possession 4th quarter comeback. Not bad for his first career game. #LetJJCook“

JJ McCarthy leads Vikings to win, delivers in first-ever start

Shortly after reactions from Stalions came out, the Vikings were able to get the game over the finish line. They start the season 1-0 and with a massive victory over an NFC North division rival. Not many stages are bigger than Monday Night Football at Soldier Field.

The overall stat line from McCarthy might not look too appetizing. He did not throw for the most yards but anyone who watched the game can point to when the slip switched. If not for McCarthy, this would be quite a different story around Minnesota at the moment. Big-time questions about the future, while the Chicago Bears celebrate their own future.

Instead, people like Stalions can boast about their favorite quarterback. And as Stalions said in his tweet, JJ cooked, alright. Now, the goal is to ensure the Vikings are able to carry over the momentum into the home opener against the Atlanta Falcons during Sunday Night Football.