Katya Kuropas is “so proud” of fiancé J.J. McCarthy after the new Vikings quarterback etched his first career win in thrilling fashion.
Hours after McCarthy rallied the Vikings to a 27-24 comeback victory over the Bears in Chicago on “Monday Night Football,” the future Mrs. took to her Instagram Stories to celebrate the former first-round pick’s wild NFL debut.
“What a night!!” Kuropas exclaimed Tuesday in a Vikings graphic heralding McCarthy. “So proud of you ???? Keep showin em’ ???? ????.”
McCarthy, who missed all of his rookie season in 2024 due to a knee injury, struggled through the first three quarters at Soldier Field, where he threw a pick-six early in the third quarter.
The former Michigan star, 22, flipped the script in the fourth quarter, orchestrating three scoring drives to give Minnesota its first win of the year.
“I felt poise from the very beginning,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “… The best thing was just the belief I felt from the team, from the unit, and ultimately, that doesn’t get done without him in the second half.”
O’Connell, the NFL’s reigning Coach of the Year, told McCarthy at halftime, “You are going to bring us back to win this game.” That confidence boost spurred the comeback.
“Any kind of compliments or belief like that, it means the world. That just gave me the confidence to go out there and just execute the ball plays and have a fast arm and make quick, decisive decisions. And it worked out,” McCarthy said.
He finished Monday’s game by going 13 of 20 for 143 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
McCarthy will surely receive a resounding welcome from Vikings fans this week when the team hosts the Falcons at home on “Sunday Night Football.”
Since transitioning to the pros as the 10th overall pick in last year’s NFL draft, McCarthy has leaned on Kuropas, his high school sweetheart.
She cheered on the quarterback during Michigan’s national championship win in January 2024 — the same month they revealed their engagement.
McCarthy and Kuropas announced in May that they’re expecting a baby boy in September.