The Minnesota Vikings nearly pulled out a win over the Chicago Bears in Week 11 despite another lackluster performance from quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy completed 16-of-32 passes for one touchdown and two picks in the 19-17 loss to Minnesota's NFC North rival.
The second-year signal-caller nearly salvaged his lackluster performance with a late touchdown drive that was easily his best of the game, but he also left 50 seconds on the clock, which was enough for the Bears to drive down the field for a game-winning field goal.
After the game, former NFL player and current analyst Emmanuel Acho praised the Vikings quarterback for the near-game-winning drive and touchdown pass he threw during it.
However, Vikings legend Cris Carter was quick to point out that McCarthy was awful for the other 59 minutes of the game.
Did you watch the first 59 mins? 👎🏾 https://t.co/vziZ8y2BQN
— Cris Carter (@criscarter80) November 17, 2025
It's certainly fair for Carter to point that out.
After all, the overall body of work from McCarthy has not been good and one strong drive in a losing effort isn't going to change that.
The Michigan product has played well in spurts, but he's completing just 52.9% of his passes and has thrown six touchdowns to eight picks while posting a passer rating of 61.7 and a QBR of 26.7.
McCarthy's QBR is worse than rookies Cam Ward and Dillon Gabriel, and his passer rating falls behind the likes of Jake Browning and Russell Wilson.
McCarthy no doubt deserves more time, as this is basically his rookie season after he missed all of 2024 with a knee injury, but it's fair to be worried, too.
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