Souhan: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy ends the season on the sideline, with a lot to prove

Forget AI. J.J. McCarthy believes in IA.

The invisible adviser on McCarthy’s left shoulder told him to ignore the throbbing in his right hand. The invisible adviser on his right shoulder told him to take himself out of the game.

McCarthy took himself out of the game.

There is a lesson to be learned here:

If you are hearing multiple imaginary voices, listen to the one that cares about your career.

In the last game of his second NFL season, a 16-3 victory over the Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium, McCarthy played reasonably well in the first half, then felt his injured right hand swelling during halftime. He completed his first pass of the second half, then walked off the field, ending his own season.

McCarthy might not have grasped that the Packers game was his last chance to persuade the Vikings’ brain trust to give him the starting job for the 2026 season.

“You’ve got to put your ego aside and do what’s best for the team,” McCarthy said.

What would have been best for the franchise would have been McCarthy establishing that he can play through pain.

I asked Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell if he was comfortable going into next season with McCarthy as his starter. O’Connell diplomatically avoided answering the question, praising McCarthy without committing to him. “Today was his 10th start, and I can’t wait to work with him in the offseason,” O’Connell said.

While McCarthy was on the field in the season finale, he was productive and made a few outstanding throws. He also earned a 15-yard taunting penalty that cost the Vikings a chance at a touchdown on their opening drive, providing another glimpse of his immaturity.

McCarthy’s good outings this season have been very good; his bad outings have been very concerning.

This wasn’t a torn Achilles. This was a hand injury in the last game of the season. McCarthy has months to heal.

NFL athletes play through minor injuries all the time, and earn respect for doing so. When Harrison Smith was a rookie, I asked him about his propensity for leading with his head. He said, to paraphrase, that he didn’t care about his health.

I’m glad he grew out of that mindset, but that reveals the way many players think.

McCarthy finished the game with 14 completions on 23 attempts for 182 yards, with zero sacks or interceptions, while getting the ball to Justin Jefferson early and often. He finished the season with a 4-2 record against the NFC North — and that record would be 5-1 if the Vikings hadn’t allowed a long kickoff return to the Bears in the waning seconds on Nov. 16.

None of which matters if the Vikings don’t believe McCarthy can stay on the field.

Assuming he still has a chance to win or keep the starting job, here is McCarthy’s homework assignments for the offseason:

• Toughen up physically. Put on a layer of muscle, or two.

• Toughen up mentally: His competitive fire has been evident, especially in the fourth quarters of close games, but he needs to prove to his franchise and teammates that he will do anything within reason to stay on the field.

• Toughen up emotionally: During his poorer performances — especially against Atlanta and Baltimore, and at Green Bay — he allowed his nerves to affect his throwing motion and decisionmaking.

My stance hasn’t changed: I believe the Vikings would be foolish to give up on a young quarterback of McCarthy’s ability.