Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season ended with chaos. The Minnesota Vikings stormed back to beat the Chicago Bears 27-24 on September 8. However, the internet wasn’t talking about just the scoreboard. A wild clip of LB Jonathan Greenard appeared to show him letting Caleb Williams off the hook, and fans instantly started screaming “rigged.”
One post went viral, replaying the moment on loop and calling it out:
“NFL is rigged, this is so insanely blatant it’s insane. This isn’t the refs it’s the player. #NFL #Vikings #Bears #MNF #ESPN.”
NFL is rigged, this is so insanely blatant it’s insane. This isn’t the refs it’s the player. #NFL #Vikings #Bears #MNF #ESPN pic.twitter.com/hxnAHqhUJ5
— Adam (@RightWingPlays) September 9, 2025
The matchup was supposed to be an NFC North showcase: Caleb Williams, still catching heat for his National Anthem behavior, versus JJ McCarthy, who spent the offseason in trade rumor headlines. Nobody expected a conspiracy theory to overshadow the game, but the clip gave fans all the ammo they needed.
Social Media Claims NFL Is ‘Rigged’ After Vikings QB JJ McCarthy Pulls Off Shocking Comeback vs. Caleb Williams [VIDEO] | Credits: X
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On the opposite sideline, JJ McCarthy, subject of offseason trade rumors, struggled through three quarters before taking over in the fourth. He completed just 13 of 20 passes for 143 yards, but his two touchdown throws and a rushing score in the final frame flipped the game. Brian Flores’ defense also turned up pressure, forcing Chicago off the field and giving McCarthy time to complete the comeback.
The win marked McCarthy’s first NFL victory, putting Minnesota atop the NFC North standings. Yet the Greenard play became the night’s most significant talking point online, sparking debate over whether mistakes on the field are evidence of manipulation or simply breakdowns in execution.
As reported by Vikings Wire and circulating on social media as of September 9, 2025, the game was Minnesota’s statement win and a flashpoint for renewed NFL “rigged” accusations.