Before the Minnesota Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy two years ago, they looked like the perfect landing spot for a young quarterback. They had ownership willing to spend, a star-studded roster, and Kevin O’Connell, the “quarterback whisperer.” However, above all else, they had Justin Jefferson.
“I think we all agree that Minnesota is the dream landing spot for, frankly, any quarterback this offseason,” Mina Kimes said in 2024. “But it would be exceptional for [Drake] Maye, paired with those weapons, that (offensive) line, Kevin O’Connell. Dream fit.”
Alas, the Vikings missed their opportunity to draft Darke Maye when they chose not to tank in 2023. On draft day, the New England Patriots wisely passed on Minnesota’s offer to trade up for the third pick, and Maye has looked like a franchise quarterback in Foxborough this year.
Instead, the Vikings traded up for J.J. McCarthy, hoping he could also become a franchise quarterback. After Minnesota drafted him, Jefferson immediately reached out to McCarthy.
“[Jefferson] told me confidence is key in this league,” said McCarthy. “Just being able to hear that from him, and just being able to get introduced to all the wise words that he’s going to be giving me over the years, I’m just extremely excited and can’t wait.”
Jefferson immediately made it clear that he would be there to help McCarthy. He’s always had gravity, the kind of invisible, otherworldly pull that creates one-on-ones for other receivers. Paired with his game-breaking ability as a receiver, he’s the kind of force who can break defenses.
As a rookie in 2020, Jefferson had 88 receptions and 1,400 yards, breaking Randy Moss’ rookie receptions record. Two years later, his 184 targets, 128 receptions, and 1,809 receiving yards led the league. He surpassed Moss’ franchise record of 1,632 yards and broke Cris Carter’s record of 122 catches in a season.
Last year, he earned his fourth Pro Bowl nod and amassed more receiving yards in his first five seasons with the Vikings than Moss did from 1998 to 2002. A receiver that talented should elevate most quarterbacks, especially McCarthy, who the Vikings took 10th-overall two years ago.
However, McCarthy hasn’t fully maximized Jefferson in his first year as a starter. McCarthy missed his first season due to injury, then got off to an inauspicious start. He salvaged his first start with a fourth-quarter comeback in Chicago and played well in Detroit. Still, he hadn’t strung together two strong efforts until the past two weeks.
McCarthy was 31 of 47 (66%) against the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys, for 413 yards, with five touchdowns and one interception. Washington and Dallas have two of the league’s worst defenses. Still, McCarthy showed discernible improvement, something he can build upon in Minnesota’s final three games this season.
“I feel like he just leaned in on the supporters that are around him, me included,” Jefferson said after Thursday’s practice regarding McCarthy. “Just trying to be that person that he can talk to and call on at any time. I always say, I know how it is with the criticism and just dealing with, just the world with social media and everything.”
Jefferson only has four receptions for 33 yards against Washington and Dallas, and he’s averaging a career-low 59.4 yards per catch this season. Still, he hasn’t complained about playing with Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer, or McCarthy this season. Instead, he’s taken it upon himself to try to be more productive.
“It’s like a step or two” away from having a few more receptions against Washington and Dallas, Jefferson said. “And then of course, me dropping the touchdown, all of that just plays a part in that. So I got to do better, everybody got to do better [at] doing what we need to do in every single play that we have.
“I got to make the most of my opportunities and definitely didn’t make the most of my opportunities these past couple of weeks.”
Nobody is going to blame Justin Jefferson for his lack of production this year. Instead, most people will commend him for being a good teammate while J.J. McCarthy adjusts to the NFL. However, above all else, he’s made good on his promise to be there for McCarthy, even when Minnesota’s quarterback play hasn’t allowed Jefferson to be a league-leader in receiving yards this season.
Jefferson always creates gravity, but never becomes a black hole.
