Vikings’ Justin Jefferson Makes His Feelings Known About JJ McCarthy
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The Minnesota Vikings have officially started training camp and the new era under second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy has begun.
McCarthy is taking over as the team’s starting quarterback from Sam Darnold. Of course, Darnold left after just one elite season with the Vikings and signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks.
Keeping that in mind, Minnesota showed its full belief in McCarthy’s ability by passing on a potential option in Aaron Rodgers to move forward with its young signal caller.
Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Heading into his first season as the starter after missing his entire rookie year due to a knee injury, McCarthy will have a lot of luxuries with the Vikings.
First and foremost, his top wide receiver will be none other than Justin Jefferson. Many believe that Jefferson is the best wide receiver in the NFL.
Outside of Jefferson, Minnesota boasts elite offensive talent like Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, and T.J. Hockenson. McCarthy will be well supported this season.
Ahead of the 2025 campaign, Jefferson spoke out with his feelings about McCarthy. He tempered expectations from Vikings fans about the young quarterback.
“You definitely have to have patience,” Jefferson said. “He’s pretty much a rookie. Last year pretty much doesn’t count for him. He’s still new to the scheme, new to coming out here and throwing it to these different receivers. You’re not really expecting him to have the same mindset as a veteran. You can’t really have that expectation from him, but we do have an expectation of him being great, him coming out here every single day and working his butt off and progressing every single day. And we do see that progression just on that second day of camp.”
Read more: Shedeur Sanders Sounds Off on Browns Future With Blunt Statement
Those are all good points. McCarthy is expected to play well, but he should not be expected to be a superstar right off the bat. He will also have his ups and down as a young quarterback, like every other young quarterback has.
All of that being said, Minnesota has the talent to be a playoff team. If McCarthy plays well, the Vikings will be a team to watch in the NFC.
Jefferson may be tempering his expectations for the second-year quarterback, but he still made it clear that he expects a good season from him.
For more Minnesota Vikings and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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