In the first year of their joint experiment, the Vikings didn't receive the results they expected from quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
For starters, he's only been able to play in nine of a possible 16 games so far in 2025. His production has varied widely, vacillating between electric late-game performances, efficient outings and ugly showings that have led some to wonder whether he's capable of becoming Minnesota's franchise quarterback.
That question will follow him into the 2026 offseason. One prominent teammate, receiver Justin Jefferson, believes the former first-round pick deserves more time to prove his worth.
"That's not my job," Jefferson said Thursday, speaking of player personnel decisions, via ESPN. "[But] of course I would love for him to be here. Of course I would love for him to be the quarterback. Especially off this year. I feel like he needs to show everybody and prove to everybody that he is that top-tier quarterback. So I would love to have him. I would love to work with him and show everybody that he is that No. 1 guy."
Jefferson is parroting the company line in his response, but his words still carry significant weight. As an elite receiver, keeping Jefferson happy and engaged remains paramount for the Vikings, and Jefferson has had plenty of reason to be displeased with the current state of Minnesota's offense after struggling to get on the same page with McCarthy in a season that is threatening to be the worst of the receiver's career.
At times in 2025, Jefferson has been rightfully frustrated with his lack of opportunity to make a difference. He has just two touchdowns to his name this season and has caught just 76 of 130 targets on his way to a 947-yard season through 16 games.
Those numbers would be more than satisfactory for the average NFL receiver, but for Jefferson, they're disappointing. However, that hasn't caused Jefferson to lose interest; in fact, he plans to spend time working with McCarthy in the offseason to fix "those habits that he had that we felt hindered him throughout the season, just working on those little itty bitty pits of his game."
McCarthy isn't solely to blame for Minnesota's struggles in the passing game, either. While his injury struggles have forced the Vikings to turn to Carson Wentz and rookie Max Brosmer for significant stretches of the 2025 season, he isn't responsible for how they perform with Jefferson.
To Jefferson's credit, he's largely managed to keep his composure emotionally. Other receivers (i.e., Philadelphia's A.J. Brown) might not have handled such challenges with as much professionalism.
Still, once the Vikings were eliminated from playoff contention in December, the only remaining value in the 2025 season could be found in remaining reps shared and the lessons learned from the trying campaign.
"I had to learn myself how to be patient, how to not really show my emotions, to lead as a captain of this team," Jefferson said. "And there are definitely things I can take from this year going forward. But I would say going forward, requiring more for everybody. Having this type of season, we ain't trying to have this type of season again."
McCarthy is trending toward playing in the Vikings' season finale, one week after a Brosmer-led offense did just enough to beat the Lions in a takeaway-filled affair in Minneapolis. He's guaranteed one more chance to demonstrate progress before the Vikings enter the 2026 offseason that could include changes to the roster and the staff working beneath Kevin O'Connell.
Hopefully, McCarthy will find a way to feed Jefferson and end the year on a high note.
