Vikings' McCarthy to start season finale vs. Packers
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will start Sunday's season finale against the Green Bay Packers, the team announced Friday.
McCarthy missed last week's victory over the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day due to a hairline fracture in his right hand. Max Brosmer got the start with McCarthy sidelined, completing nine of 16 passes for only 51 yards in the win.
This will be McCarthy's 10th start of the season in his first year as Minnesota's primary quarterback after they selected him in the first round of the 2024 draft. He's missed time due to a variety of injuries this season, including a five-game stretch earlier in the campaign due to a high-ankle sprain.
McCarthy has one final chance in Week 18 to prove he can be the Vikings' quarterback for the 2026 season. Out of 33 qualified quarterbacks in 2025, he ranks 31st in success rate and 33rd in EPA/play, according to Ben Baldwin's database.
"Of course I would love for him to be here. Of course I would love for him to be the quarterback," Viking star wideout Justin Jefferson said earlier in the week when asked if he wants McCarthy to be the starter next season, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert.
"Especially off this year. I feel like he needs to show everybody and prove to everybody that he is that top-tier quarterback. So I would love to have him. I would love to work with him and show everybody that he is that No. 1 guy."
McCarthy has completed over 57% of his throws this year for 1,450 yards with 11 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He's also added 174 yards on the ground with four rushing scores.
Running back Aaron Jones and tight end T.J. Hockenson have been ruled out of Sunday's contest due to injuries.