Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Gets Revealing Words From NFL Insider
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy faced another tough outing in Week 12 at Lambeau Field. He went 12-for-19 for 87 yards, threw two interceptions, and was sacked five times as the Vikings fell 23-6 to the Green Bay Packers on November 23.
Over the last few weeks, since returning from injury, McCarthy has been under the spotlight from the national NFL media. Moreover, after his performance against the Packers, it’s only gone up since then.
McCarthy is currently in concussion protocol. Regardless of whether he clears it in time for Week 13, NBC Sports NFL insider Mike Florio believes the Vikings would be better off putting someone else at center, which would be Max Brosmer, based on the traits he’s seeing from McCarthy during these struggles.
“[McCarthy] needs to take a step back,” Florio said on the November 25 edition of “Pro Football Talk Live.” “He’s trying too hard; I feel like he’s thinking too much, and he’s gotten himself into this cycle that he can’t break out of.
“I think it’s useful for him at this point to get a break from playing because it just feels like you can just feel that whole demeanor and the body language and the look on the face. I feel like everything about J.J. McCarthy is [that] he wants to go out there, and on the very next play he wants to make the play that wins the Super Bowl.”
Jon Gruden Gets Honest With Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy
Amid mounting criticism of McCarthy, former NFL head coach Jon Gruden shared his thoughts on the challenges the former Michigan standout has encountered in recent weeks.
“This is going to be a tough process,“ Gruden said on the November 24 edition of “Wake Up Barstool.” “It always is with a young quarterback. I remember going through this with Brett Favre in Green Bay in 1992. There were peaks and valleys.
“I learned from Bill Walsh long ago that we will not save a bad idea at any position. He has to show improvement. Ball security must be better, his mechanics at the line of scrimmage have to improve, and they need to start putting points on the board while competing.”
J.J. McCarthy Gets Encouraging Message From NFL Analyst
Even so, FOX Sports NFL analyst Greg Olsen acknowledged Gruden’s remarks, agreeing that criticism of the Vikings quarterback is warranted, though he stopped short of labeling McCarthy a bust.
“Of course, there’s going to be a learning curve, struggles, and ups and downs, “ Olsen said during the same segment on “Wake Up Barstool. “
“On the other hand, this is a team that won 14 games last year. This is an offense with Jordan Addison, Justin Jefferson, and an offensive line that has been banged up, plus an offensive play caller. There are a lot of pieces here, so maybe you’re not a 14-win offense like last year, but certainly better than what we’ve seen. I think the criticism is warranted.”
Travis Kelce Makes His Feelings Clear About Playing on Thanksgiving and Christmas
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has played in almost every scenario imaginable across his 13-year, Hall of Fame–bound career. But this Thursday in Dallas, he will cross off something he has never experienced: a Thanksgiving Day game. As the Chiefs prepare to face the Cowboys in a rare holiday matchup, Kelce is making it clear he’s ready for the spotlight — and the stakes, both on and off the field.
Fresh off a 23-20 overtime comeback win against the Indianapolis Colts, Kelce spoke openly about the upcoming holiday game, the significance it holds for him and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and what the matchup means for the tight end’s holiday traditions with his family and fiancée, Taylor Swift.
Thanksgiving Game Has Historic Meaning for the Chiefs’ Future Hall of Fame TE
Kelce’s excitement comes as the Chiefs return to a Thanksgiving Day schedule for the first time in 19 years. Their last appearance came in 2006, when they hosted the Denver Broncos in one of the NFL’s first-ever Thanksgiving night games. Kansas City enters this week with an even 5-5 record on the holiday.
For Kelce, the opportunity is new and long-awaited.
“I’m pumped,” he said Sunday after the overtime win, via KSHB 41 in Kansas City. “It’s my first time ever playing on Thanksgiving.”
The matchup carries even more weight for Mahomes, who grew up in Tyler, Texas — just 100 miles from Dallas — and has never played an NFL game in his home state.
“We’ve got to win for him,” Kelce said. “You can’t go back home with any Ls, man.”
Kelce reflected on his own hometown returns as well, noting strong performances during two visits to Cleveland, where he once starred as a high school quarterback.
“Hell yeah, I like playing on holidays, man,” he added. “It’s fun. I know everybody’s sitting down, eating all the food they can possibly get and enjoying the family time. There’s nothing that goes better than football and Thanksgiving, baby.”
Travis Kelce Will Host the Entire Family for Christmas
His hesitation before speaking, and the little smile afterward tells me everything I need to know 🥹♥️
For NFL players, holiday games often complicate family traditions — especially when personal lives are under the national spotlight. Kelce still embraces the holiday grind and even revealed new plans for 2025.
“I’ve had the pleasure of playing three games on Christmas. Each and every single one of them I had a blast in,” Kelce told Jason Kelce, Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson on “New Heights.”
“On top of that, I get to have everybody come through to Kansas City,” he continued. “Christmas in K.C. this year, so it’ll be a good time.”
Jason Kelce responded with support: “That’s right.”
The Kelce family — including parents Ed and Donna Kelce, plus Jason and Kylie Kelce — would naturally be part of the guest list. But according to a source who spoke with U.S. Weekly, Swift’s family will likely join.
“It will be very low-key, family-centric and [won’t involve any] major travel,” the insider said. “Travis fits right in with her family, and Taylor adores [his mom] Donna. They talk all the time. They make sure to see both sides as often as they can. They are super family-oriented, and they have always loved that about one another.”
