McCarthy exits early again, but the Vikings cap season with a 16-3 win over Packers

Ben Goessling, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Jan 4, 2026

Published in Football

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MINNEAPOLIS — Facing a Green Bay Packers team that had little to play for, the Minnesota Vikings got the win they wanted to finish the 2025 season above .500 at 9-8. For the third straight week, they finished the game with Max Brosmer at quarterback because of an injury to J.J. McCarthy.

The quarterback took himself out in the third quarter of the Vikings’ 16-3 win over the Packers, after starting the game with the hairline fracture that took him out of the New York Giants game two weeks earlier. He watched the end of the game wearing a baseball cap backwards, as Brosmer completed seven of his first eight passes for 57 yards while leading the Vikings’ final field goal drive.

McCarthy went 14 of 23 for 182 yards, helping Justin Jefferson eclipse 1,000 yards for the season in the first half. C.J. Ham, who’s contemplating retirement after 10 seasons with the Vikings, got the start and scored the Vikings’ only touchdown on a handoff before halftime.

With 3:32 left, referee John Hussey announced the Vikings had called timeout “to honor Harrison Smith,” as the 14-year veteran came out of the game to a standing ovation and hugs from teammates and coaches. Then, at the two-minute warning, Ham got his turn on the video board, blowing kisses to the fans before receiving hugs from teammates on the sideline.

Why it happened

The Vikings’ defense nearly pitched its second shutout of the season against a Packers team resting starters before the playoffs next week, holding Green Bay to 65 yards in the game’s first 3 1/2 quarters. Clayton Tune, playing in place of Jordan Love and Malik Willis, had as many sacks (4) as completions in that time, as defensive coordinator Brian Flores continued to send pressure after the Packers third-stringer. Tune finished 6 of 11 for 34 yards and the Packers had 121 yards, driving to a field goal as time expired.

What it means

The Vikings finish with a winning record after a five-game win streak at the end of the season, and end the year a half-game out of a playoff spot against a 9-7-1 Packers team that had nothing on the line. But the fact McCarthy came out of the game again will only amplify questions about the Vikings’ quarterback approach in the offseason, as the team considers whether to pursue a veteran alternative to McCarthy.

Play of the game

Rolling to his right before halftime, McCarthy drove a pass to tight end Ben Sims for a 17-yard completion along the Vikings’ sideline. It gave the Vikings a first-and-goal from the Packers’ 1, where Ham scored on a short handoff two plays later. It was Ham’s second TD run of the season and sixth of his career.

Turning point

After running back Emanuel Wilson lost 18 yards on a run that had him backpedaling from Vikings defenders near the Packers’ goal line, the Vikings took over on their own 41 before halftime. They drove 59 yards to finish with a Ham touchdown that made it 13-0.

Up next

Players will clean out their lockers on Monday, and the Vikings will begin the work of preparing the roster for 2026. Brian Flores’ contract status is the first issue on the offseason agenda, as the defensive coordinator’s current deal is set to expire after the season, and the Vikings will have decisions to make on a number of veteran defenders as they look to clear cap space before March.

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