Copyright M Live Michigan
DETROIT — J.J. McCarthy walked into his postgame press conference sporting a familiar-looking baby blue work shirt with a patch above the left breast pocket that read his name. It was the same shirt every player in the Michigan football program got when McCarthy was there as part of the culture then-coach Jim Harbaugh preached of a blue-collar attitude and focus on hard work. That was the mentality McCarthy wanted to bring to his first start back from injury for his Minnesota Vikings on Sunday against the Detroit Lions. After securing the major road upset, 27-24, he got to celebrate being back in a meaningful place as his NFL career gets going again. “Shed a lot of blood and sweat and tears here. I’m a Michigan Man through and through,” McCarthy said. “I love this state. I love everything that went into cultivating and crafting who I am as an individual, who I am as a football player.” Since leading the Wolverines to the 2023 College Football Playoff national championship, McCarthy’s had a start-stop experience as a professional. An injury during preseason as a rookie tanked his first year and he had to start all over again for the 2025 season. Two weeks in and McCarthy faced a high ankle sprain that kept him sidelined for five more games. He was finally ready to return in Week 9, going back to the state he made history in, something that only added to the emotional weight of the game as he took to Ford Field and began what would be a three-touchdown performance, while throwing for 143 yards on 56% completion with one interception. “When you’re hurt, being on (injured reserve) last year and being out for five weeks absolutely kills me,” McCarthy said, getting choked up.“Not being out there with those guys, because I love every single one of them. I know they got my back, and I got theirs the rest of the way.” Outside a late pick in the first half, McCarthy had a strong showing, throwing for 85 yards on 10-of-16 passing with two passing touchdowns. His third-quarter touchdown on a nine-yard scramble helped to push the Vikings well in front. “He played with confidence, he played with leadership,” wide receiver Justin Jefferson said. “Hearing him in that huddle and talking to us and giving us those words of motivation and the energy that he played with is always great. For him to do that out there for us to execute every single play, execute fully...it’s just all about making those plays whenever they come.” McCarthy knew this would be an emotional game for him and one of the most important things was managing that. His teammates praised him postgame — following a raucous celebration when he entered the locker room — for his level headedness and ability to focus on getting his body prepared for its first game in well over a month. “Y’all know I’m a (McCarthy) believer through and through, man. Michigan man, right there,” Minnesota safety and former Michigan standout Joshua Metellus said. “For him to come through, third start, division game on the road, you can’t ask for nothing more than what he put out there today. “I’m proud of him. I’m really proud of the offense for enabling him to be able to be himself and have that confidence to go out there and play his game. He’s a gamer, we all know that and it showed today and we’re happy to have him on our team and I hope he can build on this.” For as exciting as the game was for McCarthy, moving him to a 2-1 record as a starter, he knows this is only the beginning of getting to where he wants to be. He was as critical of his performance as anyone else in the locker room and didn’t express being prideful of his individual play. “I’m happy that we got the win, but I’m not proud, to be honest with you,” McCarthy said. “There’s a lot of meat on the bone and I feel like I could have played a lot better. But coming into this environment and controlling my emotions, controlling my temperament going into it, I was proud of that and just line of scrimmage procedure. We didn’t have too many self inflicted, but there was some that we need to clean up. There’s a lot I need to clean up.” McCarthy’s first NFL game at Ford Field will be one to remember, but if he keeps winning the Vikings more games, they’re going to become regular. As NFC North foes, the Vikings make at least one trip to Detroit every year. For as much as Michigan fans will enjoy getting to see one of their favorite quarterbacks return to the area every season, he’s going to be focused on lighting up the Lions every chance he gets.
