In the first year of their joint experiment, the Vikings did not get the results they expected from quarterback JJ McCarthy.
For starters, he’s only been able to play in nine of a possible 16 games so far in 2025. His production has been wildly variable, fluctuating between electric late-game performances, efficient outings and scrappy performances that have some wondering if he’s capable of being Minnesota’s quarterback.
That question will follow him into the 2026 offseason. One prominent teammate, receiver Justin Jefferson, believes the former first-round pick deserves more time to prove his worth.
“It’s not my job,” Jefferson said Thursday, speaking about player personnel decisions, via ESPN. “[But] of course I would love him to be here. Of course I would love for him to be a quarterback. Especially holidays this year. I feel like he has to show everyone and prove to everyone that he is that top quarterback. So I would love to have him. I would love to work with him and show everyone that he is the No. 1 guy.”
Jefferson touts the company line in his response, but his words still carry significant weight. As an elite receiver, it’s important for the Vikings to keep Jefferson happy and engaged, and Jefferson has had plenty of reason to be unhappy with the current state of Minnesota’s offense after struggling to get on the same page with McCarthy in what threatens to be a career-worst season.
At times in 2025, Jefferson has been rightfully frustrated with his lack of opportunities to make a difference. He has just two touchdowns this season and has completed just 76 of 130 targets en route to a 947-yard season through 16 games.
Those numbers would be more than adequate for the average NFL receiver, but for Jefferson, they are disappointing. However, that has not caused Jefferson to lose interest; In fact, he plans to spend time working with McCarthy in the offseason to fix “those habits he had that we felt were holding him back all season, just working on those little, icky pits of the game.”