Even as a Detroit Lions team that would miss the playoffs in the NFC if the season ended today works their way towards contention, they still find themselves in a much more advantageous position than the rival Minnesota Vikings due to the struggles of young quarterback JJ McCarthy.
Seemingly nothing has gone right for McCarthy, whom the Vikings believed in so much that they parted ways with Sam Darnold after a 35-touchdown season. What happened in the 2025 offseason, wherein the Vikings decided to part with Darnold after a tough loss to Detroit that cost Minnesota the division title, has been incredibly destructive.
While Darnold has put up borderline MVP numbers with the Seattle Seahawks, McCarthy has thrown just six touchdown passes in his six starts while throwing 10 interceptions and completing just 54% of his throws. The leash may not be very long for the former top pick.
Detroit may have officially gotten the "get rid of Sam, roll with JJ" ball rolling by dismantling him in Week 18 before his playoff loss. While things can turn it around, the Lions' win may have forced the Vikings into a decision that O'Connell will like to regret.
Lions' Week 18 win vs. Vikings led to destructive JJ McCarthy decision
McCarthy has the worst passer rating of any first-round quarterback through his first six starts since 2010, even topping Blaine Gabbert and Zach Wilson in this dubious race. McCarthy has thrown two interceptions in each of his last three starts, and only JaMarcus Russell has a worse EPA among qualified starters since 2000.
The fact that McCarthy is doing this in a Kevin O'Connell led offense that features skill position players like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and TJ Hockenson overrules those who defend him by saying he is just a young quarterback trying to adjust to the speed of the NFL.
READ MORE: Jahmyr Gibbs may have just saved the Lions season with breakout performance
In an NFC North that appears to be as tough as ever with the Green Bay Packers once again looking like a viable title contender and Caleb Williams settling into franchise quarterback territory with the Chicago Bears, Detroit should be thankful Minnesota has stepped on a Wolverine-shaped landmine.
While the Lions will have to bear the sting of losing to McCarthy at home, they can relish the fact that their divisional rivals have dismantled the former top pick to the point where it might be a genuine question how many more starts Nine ends up getting.