J.J. McCarthy overcame a slow start and accounted for three fourth-quarter touchdowns, leading the Minnesota Vikings to an epic rally past the Chicago Bears.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (L) scrambles with the ball against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter Monday at Soldier Field in Chicago. Photo by Mark Black/UPI UPI Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates his fourth quarter keeper touchdown against the Chicago Bears on Monday at Soldier Field in Chicago. Photo by Mark Black/UPI UPI Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (L) scores a touchdown against the Chicago Bears on Monday at Soldier Field in Chicago. Photo by Mark Black/UPI UPI Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates his fourth quarter touchdown against the Chicago Bears on Monday at Soldier Field in Chicago. Photo by Mark Black/UPI UPI Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell talks with a referee during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears on Monday at Soldier Field in Chicago. Photo by Mark Black/UPI UPI

Sept. 9 (UPI) -- J.J. McCarthy overcame a slow start and accounted for three fourth-quarter touchdowns, leading the Minnesota Vikings to an epic rally past the Chicago Bears.

With the outburst Monday in Chicago, McCarthy became the first quarterback in history to account for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter of an NFL debut.

McCarthy, who joined the Vikings in 2023, but missed all of last season because of a knee injury, completed 13 of 20 attempts for 143 yards, two scores and an interception in his first regular-season action. He also ran for 25 yards, including a 14-yard rushing score, while helping the Vikings overcome an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit.

"I feel like we did a great job," McCarthy told reporters. "This team showed a lot of poise and responded very well."

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The Bears edged the Vikings 317 to 254 in total yards and 20-14 in first downs in the loss. McCarthy completed just 7 of 12 passes for 42 yards and an interception through the first three quarters. He went on to complete 6 of 8 passes for 101 yards, in addition to his two passing scores and rushing touchdown, in the fourth quarter.

"I told him at halftime: 'You are going to bring us back to win this game.' Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said of McCarthy. "The look in his eye was fantastic."

Opposing quarterback Caleb Williams scrambled for a 9-yard score on his first drive of the night and the Bears held onto their lead until the fourth quarter.

Kicker Will Reichard put the Vikings on the board with a 41-yard field goal about two minutes into the second quarter. Bears kicker Cairo Santos made a 59-yard kick about 30 seconds before halftime. Reichard hit his own 59-yard attempt two snaps later, but the Vikings trailed 10-6 at halftime.

Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright intercepted McCarthy on his first drive of the second half. He proceeded to score on a 74-yard return to increase the Bears' momentum. The Bears later put together a long drive, which spanned from the third quarter into the fourth, but Santos missed a 50-yard attempt to give the ball to the Vikings at the Minnesota 40-yard line.

McCarthy then marched the Vikings to the opposing 13, where he fired a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Justin Jefferson to eat into the deficit. The second-year quarterback connected with running back Aaron Jones on a 27-yard touchdown toss on the next drive, giving the Vikings their first lead. He also completed a pass to wide receiver Adam Thielen on a two-point conversion for a 20-17 advantage with less than 10 minutes remaining.

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The Vikings defense forced a Bears punt on the next possession. McCarthy responded with another touchdown drive, which ended with his 14-yard scoring run and helped give the Vikings a 10-point edge.

Williams led the Bears on a 5-play, 65-yard drive on the next possession. He threw a 1-yard touchdown strike to Rome Odunze to end that drive, but the Bears never scored again.

Jefferson and Jones recorded 44 receiving yards apiece for the Vikings. Jones also ran for 23 yards on eight carries. Williams completed 21 of 35 passes for 210 yards and a score. He also ran for 58 yards and a score. Bears running back D'Andre Swift logged 65 yards from scrimmage on 20 carries.

Vikings defensive lineman Javon Hargrave totaled two sacks in the victory.

"There is a lot to unpack after that one, but I'm so proud of our team," O'Connell said. "I think days like this affirm a lot of the things that we really feel our important with our organization, from the standpoint of when things aren't going well and things aren't going your way."

The Vikings (1-0) will host the Atlanta Falcons (0-1) at 8:20 p.m. EDT Sunday in Minneapolis. The Bears (0-1) will battle the Detroit Lions (0-1) at 1 p.m. Sunday in Detroit.