The Minnesota Vikings made the decision to head into the 2025 NFL season with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy as their starter.
Despite having an opportunity to make a move for a veteran like Aaron Rodgers, the Vikings wanted to give their first-round pick from 2024 a chance. So far, the results have been mixed. McCarthy has shown flashes of big potential, but there have been plenty of lows throughout the season as well.
Justin Jefferson, the team’s superstar wide receiver, has suffered through a tough down year due to the quarterback play.
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Throughout the first 14 games played of the year, the 26-year-old wideout has caught 66 passes for 832 yards and two touchdowns. Those are not the numbers that Jefferson is used to producing.
At times this season, there has been clear frustration shared from Jefferson. Even though he has had some clear frustration, Jefferson has remained focused on team success.
Looking ahead to the offseason, Jefferson spoke out with a clear message about McCarthy. He’s prepared to put in a lot of work with the young quarterback to come back next season improved.
“I just got to still continue to put work in, continue to get with J.J. [McCarthy], to make sure the timing and the connection is continuing to get better during the offseason, and making sure when we get back into this building, we don’t go backwards, we continue to go forward in where we would want to go next year,” Jefferson said.
He also spoke out honestly about the 2025 season and how frustrating it has been.
“It’s just one of those difficult years that everybody goes through at some point in time,” Jefferson said. “I definitely don’t like it, and I definitely hate to be in it. But it just all goes back to the work that I got to put in in the offseason.”
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While this year has been frustrating, McCarthy is just 22 years old. He has plenty of time to continue developing as a quarterback.
Ahead of the offseason, there have been rumors that Minnesota could consider pursuing a veteran quarterback to compete with McCarthy. However, the Vikings are likely hoping that McCarthy can take a big step forward throughout the offseason.
Fans will simply have to hold out hope that McCarthy can take a big leap forward in 2026 and that improved quarterback play can help Jefferson get back on track and relieve some of the frustration from 2025.
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