QB is Not Justin Jefferson’s Main Priority

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Justin Jeffers, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

This season didn’t exactly go the way the Minnesota Vikings intended for it to. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah lost his job for putting eggs in the wrong quarterback basket, and now Kevin O’Connell must be urgent to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

A 9-8 record and missing the playoffs was the end result, but there was more frustration than that record would normally produce along the way. Justin Jefferson needed a last game all-out effort to reach the 1,000 yard plateau, and that’s not ideal for arguably the most talented wideout in the league.

Jefferson can’t throw himself the ball, though, and he knows as much. He also knows the Vikings need to fix their quarterback situation, and it isn’t his concern as to how that shakes out.

Minnesota Vikings need to fix Justin Jefferson’s QB problem

Justin Jefferson went into the season as the all-time NFL record holder in yards per game (96.5). That average dropped to 90.2 just 17 games later, and it was mostly due to J.J. McCarthy’s inconsistency. Jefferson is beyond aware that the Minnesota Vikings didn’t get competent quarterback play last year. He also told Kay Adams (ESPN) that changing that problem isn’t his focus.

“Yeah, I’m going to let it happen, and I don’t need to show it either. I’m not going to be posting it on Instagram or social media…That’s not my decision. I don’t care who’s throwing me that ball. That’s not my main priority and I’ve said that multiple times. I don’t really care who’s going to be throwing that ball. That person that’s throwing that ball needs to throw that ball, and lead us to into that big dance at the end of the season. As of right now, JJ is my quarterback. For me, it’s to get him to where we need to go, it starts off right now.”

Justin Jefferson – Up and Adams

While Justin Jefferson isn’t in charge of roster decisions, he’s certainly someone to be consulted within the locker room. Kevin O’Connell knows who his best player is, and Jefferson’s skillset goes underutilized if the quarterback position is in flux.

In 17 games last year, Jefferson was targeted 141 times, but had just 84 receptions. He finished with a career-low 1,048 yards, and just two touchdowns. Even average quarterback play certainly would have pushed those numbers closer to Jettas’ normal output.

Jefferson knows that he needs to put in work with McCarthy this offseason to develop a better form of chemistry, as that was obviously a huge issue. He’s even leaning into a level of blame himself. That said, his play can only elevate an under-performing passer.

Justin Jefferson wants MN Vikings to win

While it’s obvious that the goal of Justin Jefferson, and anyone on the Minnesota Vikings, is to win a Super Bowl, they need to have the right pieces in place. Jefferson said, “that person that’s throwing that ball needs to throw that ball, and lead us to into that big dance at the end of the season.” Those words could not be any more clear.

We have no reason to believe that J.J. McCarthy can be that guy based on the body of work from 2025. It’s possible further development gets him to that level, but a 57.6% completion rate and an 11/12 TD/INT ratio just isn’t going to cut it.

Minnesota will reportedly leave no stone unturned when trying to right the quarterback wrong this offseason. Jefferson may not necessarily seek out opportunity to comment, especially not publicly, but it would be naive to think he won’t have at least a small voice in the matter.

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