Vikings Spring a Major Leak in the Worst Area
All along, the belief was that holstering Justin Jefferson would give J.J. McCarthy an advantage. To be sure, the sentiment still has plenty of truth, but the connection between the WR1 and QB1 is off.
The Vikings springing a leak in this particular facet is a major problem. Few, if any, could argue that Jefferson isn’t the team’s best player. Few, if any, could argue that McCarthy isn’t the team’s most important player. Somehow, those two need to get their connection sorted out if there’s going to be any team success.
Vikings Spring a Leak at WR1 & QB1
After the game, Kevin O’Connell was asked about the issue.
“Obviously, Justin had a good amount of targets today,” Coach O’Connell said, “but not many completions.” There was then a reflection on some of the throws that missed: “there was a couple times where I thought we had him and didn’t hit him.” The desire is to keep Jefferson’s targets high; plus, O’Connell attributed some of Jalen Nailor’s success to the attention Jefferson demands. Even still, there was meat left on the bone.
Similarly, Justin Jefferson had to confront questions about the effort from his quarterback.
Upbeat and positive, Jefferson took responsibility for the poor performance while similarly pointing toward the need for the team to continue getting better. As it relates to McCarthy, Jefferson weighed in on how to improve, describing to need to go “back to work.” Shortly thereafter, Jefferson describes the effort to keep a positive outlook. “I’ve got to play better, as well,” Jefferson further reflects.
| Week | Targets | Catches | Yards | TDs |
| 1 | 7 | 4 | 44 | 1 |
| 2 | 6 | 3 | 81 | 0 |
| 9 | 9 | 6 | 47 | 1 |
| 10 | 12 | 4 | 37 | 0 |
With J.J. McCarthy as the quarterback, Justin Jefferson is sitting on averages that would lead to finishing the season with 72 catches, 888 yards, and either 8 or 9 touchdowns (depending on how one adjust the projected 8.5 touchdowns). In other words, nowhere close to good enough for Mr. Jefferson, an All Pro and Offensive Player of the Year.
To his credit, McCarthy took responsibility for the problems on offense, comparing himself to the composer in front of an orchestra. When the music sounds awry, the one who is leading the musicians takes the criticism. Accordingly, McCarthy accepts ample blame.
Admirable? No doubt. Justified? Not fully.
McCarthy does need to play better football. Even still, it’s hard not to think that Jefferson needs to be better. Look at the receiver’s body language after the pair of interceptions. Almost immediately, Jefferson is physically depleted, failing to turn on the gas to chase down the defender who just intercepted the football.
Every receiver — especially the elite ones — wants his quarterback to give him a chance. Put the ball in the air so a special player can do something special. The second interception that arrived on the 3rd & 1 is precisely the kind of scenario where Jefferson needs to be better.
Consider, as well, that there was a tough grab that hit him in the hands before falling harmlessly to the turf. Connecting on that pass would have been a score.
In a lot of ways, one wonders if the season began with a poor foundation. Justin Jefferson missed essentially all of training camp and the preseason, hampering his ability to develop a rapport with J.J. McCarthy. There were a couple of games together to begin 2025 before the sophomore passer needed to miss a pile of football. Yet again, the two are working together, but something is clearly off.
Is Jefferson getting discouraged? If so, what’s the solution?
After Week 10, J.J. McCarthy is completing 53.7% of his passes for 692 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Justin Jefferson has seen 84 targets sent in his direction, resulting in 51 catches, 686 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
The Vikings will experience zero meaningful success if those two players can’t get their connection sorted out.
