J.J. McCarthy rallies Vikings to 27-24 comeback; fiancée praises quarterback after NFL debut
McCarthy overcame an early pick-six to lead three fourth-quarter scoring drives in his first career win, while fiancée Katya Kuropas celebrated the performance on social media.
Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy engineered a fourth-quarter comeback to beat the Chicago Bears 27-24 on Monday Night Football, and his fiancée, Katya Kuropas, publicly celebrated the quarterback’s first NFL victory on social media.
McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in last year’s draft who missed the 2024 season with a knee injury, finished his NFL debut 13 of 20 for 143 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He struggled through the first three quarters, including throwing a pick-six early in the third, but led three scoring drives in the final period to secure Minnesota’s first win of the 2025 season.
Kuropas posted to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, sharing a Vikings graphic and writing, “What a night!! So proud of you 🥹 Keep showin em’ 🙌 🤍.” The couple announced in May that they are expecting a baby boy in September. Kuropas, McCarthy’s high school sweetheart, attended his Michigan national championship celebration in January 2024 and the pair revealed their engagement that same month.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, the NFL’s reigning Coach of the Year, said he told McCarthy at halftime, “You are going to bring us back to win this game.” O’Connell later said he felt poise from McCarthy in the second half and credited the quarterback’s composure for the rally.
“Any kind of compliments or belief like that, it means the world,” McCarthy said after the game. “That just gave me the confidence to go out there and just execute the ball plays and have a fast arm and make quick, decisive decisions. And it worked out.”
McCarthy’s fourth-quarter performance erased a rocky start in his first regular-season action. The pick-six put the Bears ahead early in the second half, but Minnesota answered with a sequence of productive drives that included two touchdown passes from McCarthy and key plays by the receiving corps and the running game.
The victory gives the Vikings momentum heading into a nationally televised home game Sunday night against the Atlanta Falcons. McCarthy is expected to receive a warm reception from the home crowd as he builds experience after a season lost to knee surgery and rehabilitation.
McCarthy’s rapid turnaround from a difficult first three quarters to a composed game-manager in the fourth underscores the immediate expectations and scrutiny placed on top draft picks. His debut provided both evidence of his potential and reminders of the adjustments he will need to make as the Vikings continue their 2025 campaign.
