Vikings fall 13-3 to Ravens as rookie quarterback sees limited action

J.J. McCarthy completed five of ten passes for 81 yards as the Minnesota Vikings were defeated 13-3 by the Baltimore Ravens in a preseason game on Saturday. After four series with the second-team offense, McCarthy was replaced by veteran Carson Wentz, leaving the backup quarterback role behind starter Kyler Murray undecided.

"We want to keep giving those guys opportunities," coach Kevin O’Connell said, noting that he had intended to keep McCarthy in the game longer but removed him after a couple of hard hits. The 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft, who missed his rookie season due to knee surgery and was limited to ten starts last year because of injuries, struggled to connect with receivers, including two over-thrown attempts in the end zone that resulted in turnovers on downs. On a fourth-and-1 play, McCarthy threw over the head of wide receiver Myles Price, who was open in the corner. "Just throws I’ve got to make. We called great plays, but at the end of the day I know I can make those throws," McCarthy said, adding that the experience would help him improve. Max Brosmer played the second half, completing 11 of 17 passes for 98 yards, but the Vikings ended the game with two turnovers, including an interception by rookie safety Silas Walters and a forced fumble by rookie linebacker Ethan Burke.