On Sunday evening, the Minnesota Vikings fell to 1-1 on the young 2025 NFL season with a home loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football. While the Vikings' defense played relatively well, at least in the passing game, the Minnesota offense was listless for the entire evening, reigniting questions about quarterback JJ McCarthy , who was making just his second career start.

McCarthy has now performed poorly in seven of his eight NFL quarters so far, and recently, ESPN NFL insider Stephen A. Smith took to First Take to ask a simple question of head coach Kevin O'Connell.

“[J.J. McCarthy] didn't look good at all against Atlanta, and then he's injury prone? … Is he what Kevin O'Connell tried to convince everybody he is?” wondered Smith, per First Take on X, formerly Twitter

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