Vikings Legend Sends Not-So-Hidden Message About Starting QB

By    |  
Updated:
Follow Us
Cris Carter, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings knocked off the Dallas Cowboys in prime time on Sunday Night Football. Despite entering the game eliminated from playoff contention at 5-8 record, they still showed up and delivered a win.

It was one of J.J. McCarthy’s better performances of the season, though those have been few and far between. With the Vikings playing out the string, this final stretch remains important for the 22-year-old quarterback to demonstrate competence and growth.

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

While McCarthy may have done enough Sunday night, a questionable touchdown decision aside, not everyone is sold. Count Vikings legend Cris Carter among the skeptics, and it’s unlikely he’s speaking solely for himself.

Carter Remains Skeptical of J.J. McCarthy

Former Vikings superstar Cris Carter has not been shy about his concerns regarding J.J. McCarthy. Even after McCarthy threw for 250 yards against Dallas, Carter appeared no more convinced. The Hall of Famer discussed the performance Monday morning with Kay Adams.

“Well for one this is the first time during JJ’s career, that being Justin Jefferson, that they can’t attack the full field. Ever since his rookie year, in KOC’s offense, they’ve been able to throw the ball, especially take deep shots down the field, especially off the play action. You can see he’s starting to press, these are not the same numbers that he’s used to. Randy Moss had some of the same issues…that when things became difficult, and they only got difficult with inconsistency at quarterback…I think KOC is doing a great job by meeting with him on a weekly basis…to me I just would have said something. I’m sure JJ is doing a great job of being the team leader and everything we need him to be, and I’m glad he’s not doing things like that outwardly…

Him and KOC are on the same page. We gotta make this guy, we gotta make this work…JJ is doing the right thing. He’s saying all of the right stuff as a franchise player. I talk to him off the record, so trust me he knows what’s going on. As a leader, he realizes it’s most important that he says and stays on the right page with KOC at this point in his career.”

Cris Carter – Up and Adams

There was plenty back and forth in the conversation, but it didn’t take much reading between the lines to understand the message Carter was sending.

Carter knows the position. A Hall of Fame wide receiver with nearly 14,000 career receiving yards, he understands what elite talent needs from a quarterback. And in his view, Justin Jefferson’s prime risks being wasted by inconsistent quarterback play that fails to maximize his abilities.

Against Dallas, Jefferson saw eight targets turn into just two receptions for 22 yards. As a result, his all-time yards per game record took a hit. McCarthy is now the only quarterback Jefferson has played with, including Carson Wentz and Nick Mullens, who has struggled this much to make the connection work.

To Jefferson’s credit, he has handled the situation professionally. He signed a contract extension without theatrics and has avoided becoming a distraction, even while dealing with a young quarterback who appears overwhelmed at times.

But if you believe Carter is speaking entirely on his own, or that Jefferson’s frustrations won’t surface at some point this offseason, you’re not paying close attention.

Mentioned in this article:

More About:

0What do you think?Post a comment.

Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.