Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson has remained patient as J.J. McCarthy takes the necessary steps as an NFL starting quarterback.
However, Sunday at Lambeau Field was what’s become another step backward — not just for McCarthy, but the entire Vikings offense.
Trailing by four points at halftime, the Vikings mustered just four yards of total offense in the second half in an eventual 20-6 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
After the game, Jefferson, who caught four passes for 48 yards, addressed his frustrations with what many would define as insanity, as the Vikings have found the end zone just four times in their past three games but have not found a way to make the offense hum as it had in years past.
“It’s frustrating. It’s frustrating to lose. It’s frustrating to be up here, saying the same things every single week, expecting things to change the following week. And we’re still in the same spot,” Jefferson said. We’ve just got to figure it out.”
‘I Hate to Lose:’ Justin Jefferson Speaks His Mind After Loss to Packers
Throughout his five years in Minnesota, Jefferson has been a model franchise player, keeping his words in check in front of the media.
However, what’s going on in Jefferson’s mind remains the bigger question.
Asked what he was thinking, standing alone at the end of the game, Jefferson shared his filtered thoughts, which still proved harsh due to his ultra-competitive spirit.
“We lost. Again. I hate to lose. I hate to be in this type of situation,” Jefferson said. “I hate feeling the way we feel. I hate coming in this locker room, seeing the down faces and the down energy. So, we’ve just got to fix it and turn it around.”
Can the Vikings Fix the Offense With JJ McCarthy?
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before facing the Green Bay Packers.
McCarthy’s return from a five-game absence due to an ankle injury has not revitalized the Vikings’ playoff chances.
In fact, it’s virtually sunk them following the Packers loss.
The rest of the season is about building for next year and seeing if McCarthy can rise to an operational level of the offense.
However, four yards in the second half on Sunday was a new low for the 22-year-old quarterback — and it seems like we’re saying that every week.
McCarthy’s passer rating has plummeted each of his past three starts, while Kevin O’Connell has continued to parse down the playbook and put less pressure on McCarthy.
On Sunday against the Packers, O’Connell “called the highest rate of designed runs in the first half in his 4-year tenure (58.6%). Only the 3rd time he has been over 50% since 2022,” per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.
McCarthy tied for a season-low 25 dropbacks that he took in the season opener, when he was truly green. However, he’s looked worse since that game.
And while the running game was humming, sacks and penalties resulted in McCarthy rarely being in third-and-short situations to extend drives and get a feel for the game.
Neither extreme of leaning on the passing game or running game has worked yet, and it’s on O’Connell to find the middle ground that will bring McCarthy along.
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