Getting the kid right...
Justin Jefferson used the nickname endearingly but in a tone fitting of a soon-to-be seventh-year veteran who took on a new level of leadership during the 2025 season.
“Young’un’” is what he called quarterback J.J. McCarthy after the Vikings’ season-ending win over the Green Bay Packers, which McCarthy exited early after aggravating an injury to his throwing hand.
“It’s definitely on to more work. On to getting my young’un right,” Jefferson said of his plans for the offseason. “Making sure we don’t have the same outcome this season. I’m ready for the offseason. Ready to go back to work and prove I’m still one of the best.”
Jefferson reached the 1,000-yard mark for his sixth straight season, but it took three quarterbacks and a final push against the Packers to get him there. His 1,048 yards this season are the fewest of his career, even 26 yards shy of his 2023 total when he appeared in only 10 games because of injuries.
Jefferson finished the season with a career-low three 100-yard games in the season, none of which came solely from McCarthy’s hands.
McCarthy got Jefferson most of the way to his 101 total on Jan. 4, but it was backup Max Brosmer who bumped him to triple digits with a 16-yard pass to start the fourth quarter. Jefferson’s other two 100-yard games both came with Carson Wentz at quarterback.
Jefferson’s not been shy about discussing the frustrations of this season and has been equally straightforward about the need to build a better foundation with McCarthy this coming offseason.
He didn’t put too much stock, though, in limited time working as a pair last offseason as affecting their chemistry.
McCarthy was still rehabbing his 2024 season-ending knee injury through spring 2025, and Jefferson then missed most of training camp because of a hamstring strain..
While Jefferson did agree that missed time inherently has some effect, he said the pair still found some opportunities to connect this season. They just need it to translate more in-game.
“Just like I’ve said before, we need to get J.J. out of the little, small bad habits that he had throughout the season,” Jefferson said. “But he’s still young. He still has room to grow. He still has time to really blossom as a quarterback. This is his first real year playing.
“People need to give him a little bit more leniency, but we definitely will go back to work and still put in that work to get where we need to get.”
McCarthy‘s trio of connections with Jefferson on the Vikings’ opening drive were some of the pair’s best of the season. Jefferson amassed 39 yards on those three catches, the yardage total higher than five of his full-game totals this season.
McCarthy said in his postgame presser that he and Jefferson had been working this season on trusting each other and “trusting gonna make the play if I put it to the spot.”
While the two’s chemistry hasn’t always manifested on the field, their rapport has been evident off it. Jefferson never wavered on his public support of McCarthy and often spoke in a mentoring way about the near 23-year-old.
The Vikings will have decisions to make at quarterback, and what improvement McCarthy makes this offseason will impact how they view any competition upon the return to organized team activities and then training camp.
Jefferson didn’t want to get into whether McCarthy would or should be the quarterback in 2026.
Said Jefferson: “J.J. is our guy right now, so my job is to connect with him during the offseason and get him to where we need to go.”
Strib
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
It says a lot about Jefferson. He is not a sulking diva, he takes leadership seriously. Plus he got the Korey Stringer Good Guy award.
Justin Jefferson was presented the Korey Stringer Good Guy Award today by our Twin Cities PFWA chapter.
— emily leiker (@emleiker) January 1, 2026
He’s just as good chatting with us — formally at the podium, 1-on-1 and chit chatting at his locker — as he is on the field. Had my vote. pic.twitter.com/yNV97WmJ27
You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it. — Robin Williams
Vikergirl wrote:
It says a lot about Jefferson. He is not a sulking diva, he takes leadership seriously. Plus he got the Korey Stringer Good Guy award.Justin Jefferson was presented the Korey Stringer Good Guy Award today by our Twin Cities PFWA chapter.
— emily leiker (@emleiker) January 1, 2026
He’s just as good chatting with us — formally at the podium, 1-on-1 and chit chatting at his locker — as he is on the field. Had my vote. pic.twitter.com/yNV97WmJ27Yup, he is as special off the field as he is on. So refreshing for a WR to have such a mature leadership attitude. He has fun, but is all business between the whistles.
I am a little surprised that nobody is talking about the mental lapse on that first drive yesterday. WTF was JJM thinking on that scramble? First to square up a defender , but then to stand and shit talk to the point of the 15 yarder and then swiping away the ref that was trying to defuse the situation. I like a little fire in my players, but that was straight up idiocy. I want to see my QB be able to goad the opposition into making stupid mental errors, not make them himself. He took a great play for his highlight reel and turned it into one he wont likely want to watch with the coaches.
He's got to be better.
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
JimmyinSD wrote:
I am a little surprised that nobody is talking about the mental lapse on that first drive yesterday. WTF was JJM thinking on that scramble? First to square up a defender , but then to stand and shit talk to the point of the 15 harder amd then swiping away the ref that was trying to defuse the situation. I like a little fire in my players, but that was straight up idiocy. I want to see my QB be able to goad the opposition into making stupid mental errors, not make them himself. He took a great play for his highlight reel and turned it into one he wont likely want to watch with the coaches.He's got to be better.
Agreed.
He's got a lot more to clean up in his game than layering throws.
He's below what was advertised. Way below.
JimmyinSD wrote:
I am a little surprised that nobody is talking about the mental lapse on that first drive yesterday. WTF was JJM thinking on that scramble? First to square up a defender , but then to stand and shit talk to the point of the 15 yarder and then swiping away the ref that was trying to defuse the situation. I like a little fire in my players, but that was straight up idiocy. I want to see my QB be able to goad the opposition into making stupid mental errors, not make them himself. He took a great play for his highlight reel and turned it into one he wont likely want to watch with the coaches.He's got to be better.
He's got to take everything down a notch. Everything is "too much" with him. Too much velocity, too much youth, too much intensity, too much nine. He's young and that stuff will serve him well once he learns how to play QB. Until then, he's got to settle the fuck down.
MaroonBells wrote:
He's got to take everything down a notch. Everything is "too much" with him. Too much velocity, too much youth, too much intensity, too much nine. He's young and that stuff will serve him well once he learns how to play QB. Until then, he's got to settle the fuck down.
I have found myself wondering a few times if his crazy velo on passes is partially a response ( conscious or subconsciously) to the "weak arm" comments that were made at draft time, and is this reaction to those comments leading to some of the accuracy issues?
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
JimmyinSD wrote:
I am a little surprised that nobody is talking about the mental lapse on that first drive yesterday. WTF was JJM thinking on that scramble? First to square up a defender , but then to stand and shit talk to the point of the 15 yarder and then swiping away the ref that was trying to defuse the situation. I like a little fire in my players, but that was straight up idiocy. I want to see my QB be able to goad the opposition into making stupid mental errors, not make them himself. He took a great play for his highlight reel and turned it into one he wont likely want to watch with the coaches.He's got to be better.
I agree, it was very concerning. I am not sure if it was a lapse or an act. The more I have seen him this year and some of his actions, his 9 thing, his comment about wanting to defy the coach, it all seems disingenuous and like he is trying to create this persona. I remember during the combine focusing on him and Nix and Nix seemed like a total gym rat who would do whatever it took and did not care about his appearance, while JJM seemed more like a lot of what he did was calculated and for show. Just a feeling.
I think he might be guilty of acting like a 22 year old male, in the biggest football league in the world, dealing with a huge uptick in intensity, new fatherhood, sudden "mortality" with his slew of injuries, and a sports press that never goes away while social media will pile on (mostly) made-up controversies.
22 years old, and a lot going on.
With the sideline thing, the defender led with his helmet and JJM may have thought it was late...I'm not sure, but he's got more to prove every day. That's got to be huge to deal with.
KOC, JJM, Flores...make a good plan, or you'll be following Kwesi....
JR44 wrote:
I agree, it was very concerning. I am not sure if it was a lapse or an act. The more I have seen him this year and some of his actions, his 9 thing, his comment about wanting to defy the coach, it all seems disingenuous and like he is trying to create this persona. I remember during the combine focusing on him and Nix and Nix seemed like a total gym rat who would do whatever it took and did not care about his appearance, while JJM seemed more like a lot of what he did was calculated and for show. Just a feeling.
I do sometimes wonder if his teammates at Michigan went to his birthday party.
Pretty interesting for someone like Leber who works for the Vikes and is always very pro Viking to blast JJM publicly. I don't think he says this unless there is a lot more behind it that he knows overall about his season.
https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi/news/vikings-analyst-rips-mccarthy-theatrics-after-pulling-himself-from-packers-game
Zanary wrote:
I think he might be guilty of acting like a 22 year old male, in the biggest football league in the world, dealing with a huge uptick in intensity, new fatherhood, sudden "mortality" with his slew of injuries, and a sports press that never goes away while social media will pile on (mostly) made-up controversies.22 years old, and a lot going on.
With the sideline thing, the defender led with his helmet and JJM may have thought it was late...I'm not sure, but he's got more to prove every day. That's got to be huge to deal with.
JJM had every chance to avoid that all together, he squared and lowered his shoulder instead of just peeling OB, he went hunting for that hit and then ran his mouth about it. I love the kid, but that was a 10 cent brain type of move by a guy that is supposed to be smart and the leader of the O. He needs to be better than the average 22 year old, especially when you look at the play and his injury history.
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
JimmyinSD wrote:
JJM had every chance to avoid that all together, he squared and lowered his shoulder instead of just peeling OB, he went hunting for that hit and then ran his mouth about it. I love the kid, but that was a 10 cent brain type of move by a guy that is supposed to be smart and the leader of the O. He needs to be better than the average 22 year old, especially when you look at the play and his injury history.
Your post reminded me of this haha. Luke Skywalker figured it out eventually!
That (the out of bounds stuff) was a dumb move and it looked like KOC let him know how he felt about it afterwards.
I dont know if I cut the kid some slack being 22?
The year has been a shit show and I'm glad its over. I'm not sure JJ had much fun in 25.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
JimmyinSD wrote:
JJM had every chance to avoid that all together, he squared and lowered his shoulder instead of just peeling OB, he went hunting for that hit and then ran his mouth about it. I love the kid, but that was a 10 cent brain type of move by a guy that is supposed to be smart and the leader of the O. He needs to be better than the average 22 year old, especially when you look at the play and his injury history.
Well, he's got most of Winter, all of Spring and most of Summer to see what worked, didn't work, and kinda worked in everything about his first (playing) season in the NFL.
He should also remind himself that Mahomes, Penix, Jones, Daniels, Burrow, and others certainly lost chunks of time...so, it ain't just him. Still, he needs to beef up and have all the muscle and bone builders in his meals that he can stomach.
Regardless what level of inevitable veteran QB comes in, JJM has to reassess every aspect of his game to stay in the NFL, not just on the Vikings. That said, it's true of most QBs every offseason. Jeno Smith went from resurgent to regurgitation. Goff just reminded everyone what stats look like without deep January games. Mahomes just showed everyone what the "top QB" looks like when he's not on a top team. He joins Jones and Penix in spending much of the offseason unable to physically work on much.
Maybe what occurs to me most is that Mullens, who's years older, is infamous for gunslinging his way into 4 pick games and plays that are equal parts wincing and cheering. Mahomes is basically a constant MVP candidate, but spends games as an INT dispenser every season. Allen is an obvious all-pro that is also his team's worst enemy when his mind fractures....
...so, when I don't only think about JJM, things seem less specifically bleak.
KOC, JJM, Flores...make a good plan, or you'll be following Kwesi....
Zanary wrote:
Well, he's got most of Winter, all of Spring and most of Summer to see what worked, didn't work, and kinda worked in everything about his first (playing) season in the NFL.
He should also remind himself that Mahomes, Penix, Jones, Daniels, Burrow, and others certainly lost chunks of time...so, it ain't just him. Still, he needs to beef up and have all the muscle and bone builders in his meals that he can stomach.
Regardless what level of inevitable veteran QB comes in, JJM has to reassess every aspect of his game to stay in the NFL, not just on the Vikings. That said, it's true of most QBs every offseason. Jeno Smith went from resurgent to regurgitation. Goff just reminded everyone what stats look like without deep January games. Mahomes just showed everyone what the "top QB" looks like when he's not on a top team. He joins Jones and Penix in spending much of the offseason unable to physically work on much.
Maybe what occurs to me most is that Mullens, who's years older, is infamous for gunslinging his way into 4 pick games and plays that are equal parts wincing and cheering. Mahomes is basically a constant MVP candidate, but spends games as an INT dispenser every season. Allen is an obvious all-pro that is also his team's worst enemy when his mind fractures....
...so, when I don't only think about JJM, things seem less specifically bleak.
I'm convinced that even with someone like Nick Mullens this team is in the playoffs.
I think everyone forgets, he is 22 years old. He is still a kid really. When I was 22, I was in the military, trying to be Mr. Badass. I wanted to fight everyone and everything. I thought that chicks totally wanted that. Of course he has a 10 cent head in an adult world.
I think that baby is going to mature him up. I still believe have patience, it will come around, IF he can stay healthy. To me the only remaining concern is if he can actually play a season. I can see a Joe Burrow within him, but he needs to PLAY. If he can't stay healthy, none of it matters, but if he does...LETS GO!
JR44 wrote:
Pretty interesting for someone like Leber who works for the Vikes and is always very pro Viking to blast JJM publicly. I don't think he says this unless there is a lot more behind it that he knows overall about his season.https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi/news/vikings-analyst-rips-mccarthy-theatrics-after-pulling-himself-from-packers-game
I agree with Leber on the timing of him pulling himself out mid-drive, but the towel and holding his hand behind his back made sense. He was slapping hands with everyone, so he was reminding himself and others and simply protecting himself from hurting the hand worse.
MaroonBells wrote:
I'm convinced that even with someone like Nick Mullens this team is in the playoffs.
I agree, I was recently telling someone the same thing. If the Vikings would have known from the start Daniel Jones was leaving, they may have kept Mullens around or got a better back up QB.
Change your thoughts and you change your world...
MaroonBells wrote:
I'm convinced that even with someone like Nick Mullens this team is in the playoffs.
As a starter or playing the games that JJ McCarthy missed? I mean Wentz and Brosmer went 3-4. They did a solid job of keeping the team competitive when McCarthy was out with injury. Not sure Mullens would have improved on that record.
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