It’s been a down year for Justin Jefferson, who is weathering the Minnesota Vikings‘ quarterback uncertainty with grace but has looked aloof as of late.
Last week against the Baltimore Ravens, Jefferson did not show the electric competitiveness that has defined his five-year career. It was a game where J.J. McCarthy struggled to deliver the ball accurately, completing just 47.6% of his throws, but Jefferson also did not show much effort to contest a pair of throws that led to interceptions.
Concerns have grown over Jefferson’s frustrations as he’s averaging a career-low 76.2 yards per game this season. In three of four games with McCarthy under center, Jefferson has been held under 50 yards receiving.
Jefferson has maintained a calm demeanor when questioned by media, but his body language on the field suggests otherwise.
On Thursday, November 13, Jefferson took to social media to speak his mind, posting a video of his one-handed catch against the Buffalo Bills that won “Moment of the Year” at the NFL Honors award show in 2022.
He shared the video on his Instagram story with the caption: “I need to get back to year3 Jets (Jefferson’s nickname).”
Jefferson won Offensive Player of the Year that season, totaling 1,809 yards receiving and eight touchdowns with Kirk Cousins as his quarterback.
His locus of control remains fixated on him being better, regardless of the concerns with McCarthy currently.
Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Addresses Justin Jefferson Frustrations
After a frustrating game from the entire offense, head coach Kevin O’Connell admitted that Jefferson had some frustrations during the game related to the officiating that likely bled into how Jefferson was operating.
“He’s so competitive. He wants to make those plays… and wants to make the impact. We’ve got competitors and sometimes that can present itself differently, but I have no concerns with Justin,” O’Connell said on Monday, November 10
But beyond the officiating was a mountain of other pain points. The offense committed eight false start penalties and McCarthy was sailing throws over Jefferson’s head throughout the game.
The duo also had a missed connection on a crosser over the end zone that Jefferson had in his grasp.
“I thought J.J. made a great throw on another one where it was a bang-bang play at the goal line, and we just didn’t connect. It was kind of like that in some critical moments of the game,” O’Connell added. “We’ll get back to work, and nobody will lead the charge more than Justin.”
Justin Jefferson Makes Feelings Clear on JJ McCarthy
There were questions surfacing on social media during the Ravens game about whether Jefferson was sick or injured, considering he did not look like his normal self on the field.
In the locker room after the game, Jefferson addressed what was an off-day for him, personally.
“I felt like I was okay physically,” he said. “The ball didn’t really find my hand today. That’s a part of football that’s a part of our life. it’s tough to get those opportunities and you got to make the most of those.”
Asked what he needs to do to avoid the disconnect that was apparent with McCarthy, Jefferson maintained his optimism in the young quarterback.
“Just going back to work,” Jefferson said. “Of course, giving him that motivation and giving those words to keep going keep fighting, not let the bad plays affect him. It falls on us as a whole offense.”
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