Speaking Monday, former Vikings linebacker and current radio analyst Ben Leber said he didn't "love" McCarthy's decision to leave the game, and he certainly wasn't a fan of how theatrical the 22-year-old's exit was as he covered his hand in a towel and held it behind his back.

The Minnesota Vikings lost their bet this season that they could develop J.J. McCarthy and win at the same time with a strong roster around their debuting quarterback.

The official announcement came on Aug. 14, 2024, when head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed reporters before joint practice between the Vikings and the Cleveland Browns. O’Connell spoke of McCarthy with a conviction that hasn’t been heard since.

McCarthy did add one play to his 2025 highlight reel on Sunday, though it was another mixed result. On the Vikings' first drive of the game, McCarthy sprinted out of the pocket and took off running. Along the way, he flattened linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper with a stiff-arm before slamming into cornerback Keisean Nixon on the sideline.

Two of them of keen interest to Vikings fans, which Patrick Reusse and I talked about as well on Monday’s Daily Delivery podcast: the futures of quarterback J.J. McCarthy and defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Let’s dive in at the start of today’s 10 things to know:

Regardless, the Vikings opted to start J.J. McCarthy despite still dealing with a broken hand. The focus had to be getting Justin Jefferson the 53 yards needed to keep his 1,000 yard streak alive. Both played a factor in the contest, and neither were unpredictable.

McCarthy’s ability to start was the biggest question at the season’s onset and it’s still — at best — a question as the Vikings limp into the offseason.

McCarthy had a sweet scramble against the Green Bay Packers, escaping catches and running up the sideline. At the end of the run, McCarthy ran over cornerback Keisean Nixon. McCarthy let Nixon hear about it. And that earned McCarthy a taunting penalty: McCarthy probably won't care too much. He's being assertive. He's trying to prove he belongs.

The Minnesota Vikings walked away from week 18 with a 9-8 record, but Kevin O'Connell had no answers for what QB will look like in 2026.