Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy was diehard Bears fan as 4-year-old photo resurfaces

The Minnesota rookie is making his NFL debut against the team he loved to root for growing up.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) on the sideline against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. | Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

J.J. McCarthy is from Illinois and grew up a huge Chicago Bears fan. On Monday night, he will be trying to beat his hometown team when he makes his first NFL start in his first NFL game ever for the Minnesota Vikings.

The 22-year-old McCarthy grew up in La Grange Park, a suburb of Chicago. He played high school at Nazareth Academy there before transferring to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior season due to COVID-19. He’d play his college ball at Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the Michigan Wolverines — about a 4 hour drive from Chicago.

McCarthy won a national championship as quarterback in 2024 under coach Jim Harbaugh, who is now the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) misses the 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 via Imagn Images

A photo of McCarthy as a 4-year-old going to his first NFL game in a Brian Urlacher Bears jersey resurfaced before Monday Night Football. The crazy part is her wore it to MNF vs. the Vikings all those years ago. It really is a full circle moment.

Full circle moment. @jjmccarthy09

MINvsCHI – Tonight 8:15pm ET on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/tjpC1B591k

— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2025

No doubt, he will have lots of friends and family in attendance rooting him on. Maybe not to win, but rooting for him to play well.

Ironically, his opponent Caleb Williams of the Bears rocked an Urlacher jersey for his entrance into Solider Field.

It should be a fun game Monday night.

Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

— Enjoy free dish of rich and fabulous players with The Athlete Lifestyle on SI —

Awkward: $230M bust Deshaun Watson sends message after ugly Shedeur game

Eww or yum?: Megan Thee Stallion shows off unusual home-cooked meal Klay adores

All grown up: Kobe’s daughter Natalia stuns in unique heart dress with friend

SEC First Daughter: Lane Kiffin’s daughter Landry rocks white-out Ole Miss crop-top fit

Stealth mode: Travis Hunter, wife Leanna stun NFL world with baby son looking like dad