EAGAN, Minn. — J.J. McCarthy appeared to have an edge all through his triumphant return Sunday because the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback. On a number of events throughout the Vikings’ 27-24 victory over the Detroit Lions, and in a single viral second within the postgame locker room, McCarthy’s usually joyous face was scrunched right into a imply mug.
Talking Wednesday with reporters in Minnesota, McCarthy acknowledged his new gameday persona. He referred to it by a reputation — “9,” a reference to his jersey quantity — and mentioned it’s a product of the anger constructed up over lacking 23 of his first 25 NFL video games due to damage. McCarthy missed all of his rookie season due to a torn meniscus in his proper knee and 5 video games this season due to a excessive proper ankle sprain.
“It actually form of began to point out up this 12 months,” he mentioned, “and it took place final 12 months throughout IR. Simply by no means had a full season, the place you wish to be on the market so freaking dangerous, however you may’t. It was simply this built-up anger that was form of prepared to only explode, and I selected to harness it as an alternative of letting it go right into a self-destructive form of means.”
The Vikings have gained two of McCarthy’s three begins this season. He accounted for 3 touchdowns in every of the wins, in Week 1 over the Chicago Bears after which Sunday in opposition to the Lions.
On Sunday, McCarthy was caught staring intensely at coach Kevin O’Connell as he gave a postgame speech.
pure dawg 🔥@jjmccarthy09 | @Vikings pic.twitter.com/uXxMDALN9m
— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2025
O’Connell joked Wednesday that he has realized to “get the hell out of the way in which for my very own private security” when addressing McCarthy throughout in these moments.
“I form of love feeding that wolf,” McCarthy mentioned, “as a result of my complete life at [the University of Michigan], there was a smiley face on my hand, and [if] you smile, and you’ve got enjoyable, you are going to play higher and all that — which is true. However I additionally assume there’s lots of energy that comes from that built-up anger that you may transmute into your efficiency.”