The buzz was palpable on Saturday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium as everybody was eager to see new franchise quarterback J.J. McCarthy live in action. Would everything that McCarthy has learned in training camp translate?

Of the announced crowd of 66,715 at the Vikings’ preseason opener on Saturday, the fans who were at U.S. Bank Stadium got to see J.J. McCarthy back on the field for the first time in a year. They also saw a cleaner showing from the team’s first two offensive units than they had put together in training camp.

J.J. McCarthy has made a solid return for the Vikings, completing 4 of 7 passes for 30 yards in a preseason win over the Houston Texans.