The Minnesota Vikings are out of playoff contention, heading into the final week of the regular season. And whilst it is now a certainty that the team will leave for vacation come Monday morning, there is still pride and a winning record to play for.
The Vikings will secure a 9-8 record with a win on Sunday, and perhaps the ability to attain this symbolic gesture may have had more impact than the team would otherwise admit. Particularly considering a win in Week 18 will be a win against division rivals, the Green Bay Packers.
Despite him having missed Week 17’s win against the Detroit Lions with a hand injury and being questionable to play for much of the week, head coach Kevin O’Connell announced on Friday that franchise quarterback, JJ McCarthy, will start in the organization’s season finale.
“J.J. McCarthy (hand) has no injury designation and will start Sunday, per Kevin O’Connell.” ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported on January 2nd.
JJ McCarthy Set To Start Against The Green Bay Packers
Not only is McCarthy not ruled out, as some expected he could be. But the team had him listed with no injury designation at all, making him fully good to go.
The team will be without both tight end, TJ Hockenson, and former Packer, Aaron Jones – who misses the opportunity to get another big game against his former team on Sunday..
Hockenson is suffering from a shoulder injury that kept him out in Week 17, whilst Jones is freshly out with a hip problem, which will force him to miss a game for the first time since his return mid-season in Week 8 from a hamstring injury suffered in Week 2.
O’Connell mentioned earlier in the week that the key barometer for assessing McCarthy’s fitness to play was his ability to grip the ball, since it was his dominant right hand that had suffered an injury.
And given that he is now set to start on Sunday, there are clearly few, if any issues in that department for the second year quarterback.
What Is At Stake For McCarthy And The Vikings Offense?
On paper, there is not a vast amount to be gained in playing (and even winning) this weekend.
However, it is yet another opportunity for the former 10th overall pick to demonstrate that he has been able to develop and come on from his shaky mid-season form early in 2025. Especially since the rumors have started to churn about even a possible QB switch-up in Minnesota.
McCarthy can show the vast gulf between his play and that of rookie undrafted free agent backup, Max Brosmer, who has certainly had some teething problems in his first two NFL starts.
The jury is still out as to whether the National Championship winner is the “guy” moving forward for Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings’ offense. But any good performances McCarthy can put in to solidify his position will gain him ever more trust in the eyes of the coaching staff and the fanbase.
Kevin O’Connell Makes JJ McCarthy Decision For Week 18