Carson Wentz is out for the season. Someone owes the Vikings QB an apology

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Carson Wentz is out for the season. Someone owes the Vikings QB an apology | Opinion

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Wed, Oct 29, 2025 ·

7 min read

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Carson Wentz 's face couldn't hide what the Minnesota Vikings quarterback had tried to obscure.

Operating on a short week in his team's "Thursday Night Football" showdown last week against the Los Angeles Chargers , the veteran passer clearly understood the assignment. Wentz made his fifth consecutive start in place of J.J. McCarthy , who would only serve as the emergency quarterback for the game as he continued to recover from a high-ankle sprain.

Loaded up with a cumbersome harness and several other wraps to aid an injury to his non-throwing shoulder , Wentz prepared for another outing behind a reshuffled and vulnerable offensive line, which would also lose left tackle Christian Darrisaw after the second series. The onslaught arrived as expected, with the Chargers racking up five sacks and eight quarterback hits.

All through the eventual 37-10 defeat, Wentz grimaced his way to the next play until he was pulled on the final series. In clear pain, he grabbed his arm on several occasions while remaining in the game.

Carson Wentz #11 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts in pain on the ground after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter in the game at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

Said Wentz when asked after the game if he'd be able to play again this season: "It's a week-by-week, day-by-day thing right now."

That assessment might have been the first sign something was amiss.

On Monday, the Vikings placed Wentz on injured reserve, ruling him out for the season with what multiple reports said was a shoulder dislocation that included a torn labrum and fractured socket suffered in the Oct. 5 London matchup against the Cleveland Browns . Further details regarding the injury, however, remain murky.

What does seem clear is this: Wentz deserves an apology. It's just not clear from whom.

The Vikings' role

Maybe it's from Kevin O'Connell and the Vikings . The coach and organization deserve the benefit of the doubt given their established track record of authentic care for players, which is reflected by across-the-board sterling marks in the annual NFL Players Association team report cards .

But O'Connell's concern for his two other quarterbacks – McCarthy and undrafted rookie backup Max Brosmer – might have clouded his judgment and allowed Wentz to become cannon fodder.

Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy rushes in the second half against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Michigan Stadium on Sept. 18, 2021.
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Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates after the 42-3 win over Iowa in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Indianapolis.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network)

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy hugs running back Blake Corum after the Wolverines lost, 34-11, to Georgia in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network)

Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates on the sidelines against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during first-half action at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.
(Kirthmon F. Dozier, USA TODAY Network)

Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh hugs quarterback J.J. McCarthy following their 45-23 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Nov. 26, 2022.
(Adam Cairns, Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY Network)

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy high-fives fans after the Wolverines defeated Maryland, 34-27, at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.
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Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy meditates in the end zone before the game against the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.
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Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy runs by Michigan State defensive end Michael Fletcher during the first half on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.
(Kirthmon F. Dozier, USA TODAY Network)

Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates his touchdown run against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on Nov. 26, 2022.
(Joseph Maiorana, USA TODAY Sports)

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates with fans after the Wolverines won the Big Ten championship game after defeating Purdue, 43-22, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on Dec. 3, 2022.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network)

Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates with running back Donovan Edwards and offensive lineman Trevor Keegan against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 31, 2022.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)

Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy reacts in the fourth quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 31, 2022.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy calls for a snap against East Carolina during the second half of the Wolverines' 30-3 win on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, at Michigan Stadium.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network)

Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson celebrates a touchdown against UNLV with quarterback J.J. McCarthy during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network)

Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates after running back Blake Corum runs for a touchdown against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium on Oct. 7, 2023.
(Matt Krohn, USA TODAY Sports)

Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy runs the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium on Oct. 7, 2023.
(Matt Krohn, USA TODAY Sports)

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates a touchdown against Indiana with running back Blake Corum during the first half at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network)

Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy reacts while leaving the field following a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on Nov. 11, 2023. Michigan won 24-15.
(Matthew O'Haren, USA TODAY Sports)

Jack Sawyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after sacking J.J. McCarthy of the Michigan Wolverines during the second quarter in the game at Michigan Stadium on Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)

J.J. McCarthy of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with fans on the field after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium on Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)

Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy lets out a yell as he leaves the field following the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won, 30-24.
(Adam Cairns, Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY Sports)

Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates after winning the Big Ten championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on Dec. 2, 2023.
(Robert Goddin, USA TODAY Sports)

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy and wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy celebrate Michigan's 26-0 win over Iowa in the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network)

J.J. McCarthy of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with fans after winning the Big Ten championship against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on Dec. 2, 2023, in Indianapolis.
(Michael Hickey, Getty Images)

Head coach Jim Harbaugh and J.J. McCarthy of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff Rose Bowl game on Jan. 1, 2024, in Pasadena, California.
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J.J. McCarthy of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with the Leishman Trophy after beating the Alabama Crimson Tide, 27-20, in overtime to win the College Football Playoff Rose Bowl game on Jan. 1, 2024, in Pasadena, California.
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J.J. McCarthy of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with a rose after beating the Alabama Crimson Tide, 27-20, in overtime to win the College Football Playoff Rose Bowl game on Jan. 1, 2024, in Pasadena, California.
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)

J.J. McCarthy of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with teammate Blake Corum and head coach Jim Harbaugh after beating the Alabama Crimson Tide, 27-20, in overtime to win the College Football Playoff Rose Bowl game on Jan. 1, 2024, in Pasadena, California.
(Harry How, Getty Images)

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy meditates on the field before the start of the College Football Playoff national championship game against Washington at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
(Melanie Maxwell, Detroit Free Press / USA TODAY Sports)

Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates with running back Donovan Edwards after a touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the first quarter in the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)

Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy holds the College Football Playoff national championship trophy as he celebrates after defeating the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy kisses the College Football Playoff national championship trophy to celebrate 34-13 win over Washington at the national championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network)

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy kisses his girlfriend Katya Kuropas to celebrate the Wolverines' 34-13 win over Washington to win the College Football Playoff national championship against Washington at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network)

Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins, quarterback J.J. McCarthy and linebacker Michael Barrett wave at fans during the National Championship parade in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Sports)

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates with family after the Wolverines' 34-13 victory over Washington to win the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network)

J.J. McCarthy of the Michigan Wolverines calls a play in the first quarter against the Washington Huskies during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium on Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston.
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J.J. McCarthy of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium on Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)

J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings looks on prior throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the MLB game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins at Target Field on June 18, 2024, in Minneapolis.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy practices before making his NFL debut against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. Minnesota won, 27-24.
(Matt Marton, Imagn Images)

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell hugs quarterback J.J. McCarthy prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. Minnesota won, 27-24, in McCarthy's NFL debut.
(Patrick McDermott, Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell talks with quarterback J.J. McCarthy during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. Minnesota won, 27-24, in McCarthy's NFL debut.
(Matt Marton, Imagn Images)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy runs with the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. Minnesota won, 27-24, in McCarthy's NFL debut.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

J.J. McCarthy, Brian O'Neill and Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings celebrate after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. Minnesota won, 27-24, in McCarthy's NFL debut.
(Patrick McDermott, Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and coach Josh McCown speak with quarterback J.J. McCarthy during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. Minnesota won, 27-24, in McCarthy's NFL debut.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. Minnesota won, 27-24, in McCarthy's NFL debut.
(Matt Marton, Imagn Images)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy rushes for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. Minnesota won, 27-24, in McCarthy's NFL debut.
(Matt Marton, Imagn Images)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. Minnesota won, 27-24, in McCarthy's NFL debut.
(Matt Marton, Imagn Images)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. Minnesota won, 27-24, in McCarthy's NFL debut.
(Patrick McDermott, Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy rushes the ball against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. Minnesota won, 27-24, in McCarthy's NFL debut.
(Matt Marton, Imagn Images)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy shakes hands with Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams after the game at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. Minnesota won, 27-24, in McCarthy's NFL debut.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy hugs wide receiver Adam Thielen after defeating the Chicago Bears, 27-24, at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy and Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland shake hands following Minnesota's 27-24 win at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. McCarthy and Loveland were college teammates at Michigan in 2022 and 2023.
(Patrick McDermott, Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy looks on after defeating the Chicago Bears, 27-24, in his NFL debut at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago.
(Patrick McDermott, Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates after defeating the Chicago Bears, 27-24, in his NFL debut at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. Minnesota won, 27-24.
(Patrick McDermott, Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy reacts after defeating the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago. Minnesota won, 27-24, in McCarthy's NFL debut.
(Matt Marton, Imagn Images)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy reacts after defeating the Chicago Bears, 27-24, in his NFL debut at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, in Chicago.
(Matt Marton, Imagn Images)

"Carson's a veteran player," O'Connell said after the game. "He understands, kind of, some of our circumstances tonight. I think it's very difficult to ask a rookie to go in there for his first performance and have to be weathering it a little bit for the group."

It's understandable that O'Connell, himself a former NFL quarterback who has bemoaned how teams treat their young signal-callers, would be protective of a first-year passer. But if playing Brosmer wasn't a realistic option, then O'Connell needed to have a true backup at the ready given all that went into merely getting Wentz prepared for the game.

From a protocol standpoint, the Vikings appeared to have done no wrong here. Wentz repeatedly insisted he wanted to stay in the game, O'Connell said, and the medical team provided continual check-ins.

"There is a mentality to the quarterback position where when a guy is so committed and so all-in and does not want to be taken off the field, you have to honor that," O'Connell said Tuesday on KFAN FM 100.3.

That might be an established precedent, but it's not a fail-safe one. Wentz's assertions that he was fine to keep going were undercut by his wincing throughout the game. This became a scene that was uncomfortable to watch, never mind participate in.

Oct 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) tackles Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) during the first half at SoFi Stadium.

After the game, Wentz said the pain was "quite possibly" the worst he's ever felt in his football career. That's coming from a player who once tore his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments and damaged his meniscus, among a litany of other injuries.

Pain is tricky to assess, and players deserve a good bit of agency in these matters. But they've proven to be unreliable narrators when it comes to assessing their own limitations during the middle of a game. Interventions are needed to help protect Wentz and his peers from their own instincts. At the very least, the outcome should prompt some reconsideration of whether the process for assessing similar situations could be improved.

Kirk Herbstreit's comments

While the Vikings' actions might have occupied a gray area, there aren't many subtleties to the way Kirk Herbstreit responded to Wentz's biggest display of frustration on the night.

After taking yet another hit that left him grabbing his wrist as the game spiraled further out of hand in the fourth quarter, Wentz threw his helmet and became tearful as he sat on the bench. His actions drew a sharp rebuke from the Prime Video analyst.

"When you're the captain of the ship, you're the quarterback, you gotta try to hold some of that emotion in," Herbstreit said. "And I know he's frustrated, and he's hurt, but it's Week 7. There's a long way to go."

Playing decorum police was a regrettable move in the moment. It looks even worse with the full picture of Wentz's health now revealed.

Yet even when responding to criticism about his remark, Herbstreit seemed to double down.

"I talked the entire game about how impressive it was that he was playing through a lot of pain and mentioned several times how mentally and physically tough he was-all I said was he can't throw his helmet and it was a bad look. That's it," Herbstreit wrote Monday on X. "Doesn't take anything away from all the great things we said about him all night. Just was surprised to see that from him. That's it."

For someone so concerned with optics, Herbstreit sure doesn't seem to get how bad of a look this is.

Public perception and pressures

For a full picture of just how badly things got twisted with Wentz's injury, look no further than his response to a question about his emotional display.

"Yeah, I'm not proud of that," Wentz told reporters after the game. "I apologize to the equipment guys for that one, but yeah, I was in a good amount of pain."

Those actions, however, might have been one of the few genuine glimpses into just how strong the pressures facing Wentz truly were.

The Bismarck, North Dakota, native got to live out his childhood dream by leading the team he grew up following. Signed in late August after the Vikings traded away backup Sam Howell , he was tasked with taking over the offense less than a month after his arrival.

Minnesota's roster proved to be a resounding disappointment coming off last year's 14-3 campaign, yet Wentz found himself taking the fall for many of the team's shortcomings. It's easy to tear down a player who began his career as the No. 2 overall pick and a legitimate MVP candidate before becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to start for six different franchises in six consecutive seasons as his standing took repeated hits. And as the recent case of New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields reinforced, it's all too easy for fans to strip players perceived as busts of their humanity.

Those are the conditions that create a culture that can skew internal compasses. Other quarterbacks, such as Baker Mayfield , have played through torn labrums before, and it wasn't an unprecedented move for Wentz and the Vikings to see if he could forge ahead. But that dynamic only ratcheted up the demand on the veteran to stick through it.

Said Wentz in another contradiction of his later description of just how taxing his injuries were: "Pain is pain."

Only to a point, though.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Carson Wentz's injury proves Vikings QB deserves an apology

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The Vikings' role

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Michigan football national champion

Kirk Herbstreit's comments

Public perception and pressures