NFL Monday night: Vikings beat Bears in QB J.J. McCarthy’s debut
For the first three quarters of the Minnesota Vikings’ season-opening game on Monday night, the NFL team’s fans might have been wondering: “We waited a year for this?”
But in the end, quarterback J.J. McCarthy delivered a 27-24 victory over the Chicago Bears in his NFL debut.
The 10th pick in the 2024 draft, McCarthy missed the 2024 season with a knee injury while Sam Darnold earned Pro Bowl recognition as Minnesota’s quarterback.
The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, quarterback Caleb Williams had the Bears in the lead on Monday night until McCarthy threw for two touchdowns and a 2-point conversion and ran for another score in the fourth quarter.
McCarthy’s final numbers were modest – 13-of-20 for 143 yards with two touchdowns and one interception and two rushing attempts for 25 yards and one touchdown. But in the fourth quarter, McCarthy completed 6-of-9 passes for 87 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Williams completed 21-of-35 passes for 210 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions and ran six times for 58 yards and one touchdown. He completed his first 10 passes.
Five players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field in the Minnesota-Chicago game:
- Jonathan Allen (Alabama) started at defensive tackle in his first game for the Vikings. He made three tackles. Allen joined Minnesota in the offseason as a free agent after eight seasons with the Washington Commanders.
- Ryan Kelly (Alabama) started at center in his first game for the Vikings. Kelly joined Minnesota in the offseason as a free agent after nine seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.
- Vikings linebacker Austin Keys (Auburn) did not record any stats in his NFL debut. Keys joined Minnesota in the offseason as an undrafted rookie.
- Vikings kicker Will Reichard (Hoover, Alabama) made his three attempts – field goals of 31 and 59 yards and one extra point. The 59-yarder with six seconds left in the first half was the second-longest in franchise history.
- Vikings outside linebacker Dallas Turner (Alabama) made two tackles on defense and one tackle on special teams.
Minnesota plays the Atlanta Falcons at 7:20 p.m. CDT Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Chicago stays in the NFC North by visiting the Detroit Lions at noon Sunday.
Warriors' Free Agent Target Predicted to Sign With Timberwolves
The Golden State Warriors have had as underwhelming an offseason as anyone would have imagined, as it is a week into September and they are still the only NBA team that has not added a player through trade or free agency.
The Warriors continue to play the long game with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, as the two sides still stand far apart on a potential deal. Of course, this whole dilemma is holding up the team's free agency signings, as the Warriors reportedly have a few players on standby, ready to sign whenever this Kuminga situation is resolved.
Warriors' free agency targets
The Warriors and Boston Celtics free agent Al Horford reportedly have a deal ready to be signed, but are simply waiting to put pen to paper until the franchise figures out what they are doing with Kuminga. The Warriors reportedly also have two familiar faces, Gary Payton II and De'Anthony Melton, ready to sign, but there is another free agent who is not a done deal.
The Warriors have had reported interest in veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon for much of the offseason. Brogdon has yet to be signed by a team, and with the Warriors undoubtedly in the mix, many question if he will be part of the group that they bring in once they solve their Kuminga problem.
NBA insider Jake Fischer recently reported that it will be hard to tell where the Warriors stand with Brogdon until Kuminga's situation is resolved, but there is certainly interest.
"In Brogdon's case, Golden State's long-running stalemate with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga has contributed to the uncomfortable wait," Fischer wrote.
"We won't know if the Warriors emerge with more serious interest in Brogdon until the state of their roster and luxury tax bill becomes clear in the wake of a resolution to Kuminga's fate and the subsequent signings that have been long anticipated to bring Al Horford, De'Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II and second-round pick Will Richard into the Bay Area fold."
Where is Brogdon heading?
The 32-year-old guard has been a journeyman recently, making stops with the Washington Wizards, Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics, and Indiana Pacers over the last four seasons, and it seems like he will be heading somewhere new, once again. Of course, the Warriors are a team to watch for him, but Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus predicts that he will sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
"Several teams could use help at guard, such as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings and New York Knicks," Pincus wrote. "Prediction: Brogdon joins the Timberwolves, giving support behind Mike Conley."
Many teams are likely searching for a veteran guard like Brogdon, and the Timberwolves could certainly use his services. Minnesota's only legitimate weak spot on its roster is point guard, so bringing in a veteran ball-handler like Brogdon makes sense. However, the Warriors could certainly use a backup point guard as well, so time will tell which direction Brogdon takes.
