The Minnesota Vikings moved to 14-2 on the season with their 27-25 home win over the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday.

The play of quarterback Sam Darnold has been a season-long topic of importance for the Vikings and coach Kevin O’Connell as the former USC Trojan has exceeded expectations for the bulk of the 2024-2025 season.

On Sunday, the man many expected to take Darnold’s job, JJ McCarthy, shared a message regarding his thoughts on the Vikings as they draw closer to a showdown with the Detroit Lions for the NFC North Division title.

“I love this team,” McCarthy wrote on X after the Vikings beat their division rivals.

McCarthy tore the meniscus in his right knee before the season and had surgery to repair it. He spoke candidly about the Vikings being a great fit for him after he was chosen in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft and team officials remain high on his future with the team as its potential starting quarterback.

For now, the focus is on Darnold and the Vikings’ quest for the NFC North title, with all roads leading to Detroit next weekend.

“We love you JJ!” one fan said in response.

“We love you fam,” another reader wrote.

“Gonna be better when you’re back future MVP,” another fan added in the comments section.

McCarthy had 188 yards passing and two touchdowns for Minnesota during a preseason performance that showed plenty of promise for the future.

Darnold now has 3,776 yards passing and 32 touchdowns against 11 interceptions for the Vikings as they prepare for the Lions next week in Motown.