Justin Jefferson Doesn’t Deserve This
There’s not really an easy way to put it; the 2025 Minnesota Vikings are a complete and utter dumpster fire.
It’s mostly because of the situation at QB, with terrible performances thus far from J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer. Carson Wentz wasn’t absolutely useless in his starts, but his most recent showing was against the Los Angeles Chargers, which was a dumpster fire.
Superstars don’t last too long in absolute dumpster fires, turning eyes to WR Justin Jefferson.
The Vikings Don’t Deserve Justin Jefferson
All of these struggles on the Vikings’ offense culminated in yesterday’s disastrous performance. The Vikings scored zero points, earning their first shutout since 2007. Jefferson didn’t have a single reception until late in the third quarter, and it went for negative yardage. A second reception shortly thereafter put him into positive yardage, and that was it for his day.
Jefferson finished with two catches for four yards, easily his worst career performance. The disappointment has come in spades this year for Jefferson, as he hasn’t had more than 61 yards receiving since October 23rd against the Chargers. He also hasn’t had a 100+ yard game since October 5th, when the Vikings defeated the Browns in London.
Consider his game log since that English showdown with Cleveland:
- @ SEA: 2 receptions, 4 yards, 0TDs
- @ GB: 4 receptions, 48 yards, 0TDs
- vs. CHI: 5 receptions, 61 yards, 0TDs
- vs. BAL: 4 receptions, 37 yards, 0TDs
- @ DET: 6 receptions, 47 yards, 1TD
- @ LAC: 7 receptions, 74 yards, 0TDs
- vs. PHI: 5 receptions, 79 yards, 0TDs
Jefferson will likely eclipse 1,000 yards on the season, as he has 799 yards with five games left in the season. However, it may be close, as his yardage with McCarthy isn’t exactly the highest average.
Could Justin Jefferson Really Ask for a Trade This Off-season?
Wide receivers are known for being divas. We all know a little too well with Stefon Diggs still in recent memory. Yes, Jefferson is in a higher tier than Diggs, but the point remains.
Stefon Diggs asked out of Minnesota coming off a year where they won a playoff game, and it was because he didn’t like his usage in the Vikings’ offense. Now consider that Jefferson’s usage isn’t high (not by design to be fair), AND the Vikings are losing the game. Not exactly the formula to keep a superstar all-world receiver on your roster.
Do I think Justin Jefferson actually tries to force his way off the Vikings in 2026? No, not really.
For starters, yes, he’s locked into the Vikings’ cap books for the next couple of years. He also just doesn’t seem to be that type of guy. Jefferson is bought into the Vikings as an organization, and the Vikings are a good organization from an actual organizational standpoint. Jefferson has more often been the best receiver in the league than not in his tenure here, and one bad year isn’t likely to completely change his view of the team.
It is difficult to see now, but Justin Jefferson is likely still bought into what is happening in the Twin Cities. It had to be figured that the Vikings weren’t going to be the team that they were in 2024, though in fairness, we didn’t think it was going to be this bad.
Could Jefferson really ask for a trade? Yes. Will he? Doubtful.
