J.J. McCarthy rallies Vikings past Bears with epic fourth quarter in first ever start

J.J. McCarthy has had a lot of doubters. But Michigan football fans weren't among them, and on Monday Night Football, in McCarthy's first-career start for the Vikings, the national championship quarterback showed why.

After selecting McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 NFL draft, J.J. missed the entire 2024 season due to injury. Still, the Vikings had enough confidence in him to pass up the chance to sign Aaron Rodgers to roll with him as their starter.

That faith was rewarded against the Bears.

J.J. McCarthy has epic fourth quarter in Vikings comeback win over Bears

Early on Monday, some might have questioned the decision. It was McCarthy's first start in 20 months. There was always going to be some rust, but once McCarthy settled in, he turned into the killer that every Michigan football fan knows he can be.

With the Vikings trailing 17-6, McCarthy threw a dart to Justin Jefferson to put Minnesota into scoring range, before then connecting with Jefferson for his first career touchdown pass.

McCarthy wasn't done, though. Far from it. The former Michigan football quarterback tossed a touchdown pass to running back Aaron Jones to put Minnesota in front.

Then, he drove Minnesota down the field before capping another drive with a 14-yard touchdown run, his third of the fourth quarter, which followed a 76-yard pick-six he threw to Chicago earlier in the game.

Suddenly, a 17-6 deficit for Minnesota turned into a 27-17 lead and a 27-24 victory.

Mistakes will happen. And the McCarthy haters were surely gloating at that point. Yet, McCarthy said he would make the Bears pay for not drafting him, just like he made Ohio State pay for allowing him to sign with Michigan football.

J.J. lived up to his word on Monday night. He completed 13 of 20 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran two times for 25 yards, and added another touchdown. There was one interception, and a sluggish start.

But after that comeback, and the shot in the arm it will give McCarthy, the rest of the NFC North better watch out.