In his second-ever game with the Minnesota Vikings, J.J. McCarthy was only on the field for one offensive series in Saturday's preseason contest against the Houston Texans, but that's all he needed to prove to all of his doubters why he will enter the regular season as the starting quarterback for a team that won 14 games in 2024.
Critics will point to McCarthy's final stat line of 4-for-7 for 30 passing yards and no touchdowns as being something that isn't starting-quarterback worthy. But for those who actually watched all the snaps from the second-year passer on Saturday, it was very clear that he was extremely comfortable in the offense, and he had total command of the huddle.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell provided more evidence of McCarthy having a strong day with some comments during his post-game press conference.
"I love the fact that [he] was able to hit an explosive play in the play-pass game, I love the fact that [he] converted some third downs, I love the fact that on the fourth down, he used his legs for that.
...I think there's just a level of composure and poise to how he ran the show that was exactly what I was looking for."
J.J. McCarthy and Minnesota Vikings begin 2025 preseason with a win over the Houston Texans
McCarthy has only appeared in two games for Minnesota since the team selected him in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but the Vikings have come away with victories in both of them. Now, both of these wins have come in exhibition contests, but we don't have to talk about that part.
Minnesota walked off the field on Saturday with a 20-10 victory over the Texans to get the team's 2025 preseason off to a positive start. After going undefeated in the preseason last year, the Vikings have now won four exhibition games in a row under O'Connell.
In addition to what McCarthy did out on the field, Vikings quarterbacks Sam Howell and Max Brosmer, running back Zavier Scott, and edge rusher Gabriel Murphy put together impressive performances on Saturday against Houston.
Minnesota will remain at U.S. Bank Stadium for the team's next matchup of the 2025 preseason when they host the New England Patriots next Saturday, August 16th at 12 p.m. CST.