Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson hasn’t had the most charmed NFL career when it comes to who’s throwing him the ball.
While other elite pass catchers have found themselves wed to one quarterback for the majority of their careers, Jefferson has caught passes from eight different quarterbacks since entering the league in 2020.
J.J. McCarthy may become Jefferson’s match long-term. But, right now, it’s been rocky whether it’s McCarthy or Carson Wentz under center, with the Vikings ranking 29th in passing efficiency this season.
Through four games, Jefferson has averaged the fewest yards per game (81.7) of a single season in his career.
Asked about what it’s like to play with the uncertainty at quarterback this season, Jefferson admitted that it’s a familiar feeling beyond the past four weeks.
“To be honest, that’s been my whole entire career since I’ve been here. It’s just not really flinching on that type of deal, that’s something I can’t really control,” Jefferson said in a October 2 news conference. It really doesn’t matter who is out there throwing the ball. I always have confidence in myself, and the person throwing the ball that we’re gonna make something shake.
“So it really doesn’t matter who’s out there throwing the ball. It’s been difficult, just trying to connect with one quarterback and getting that relationship, but at the end of the day, my job is to go out there and catch the ball.”
Justin Jefferson Backs J.J. McCarthy Amid Carson Wentz Stead as Vikings QB
While Wentz has filled in admirably for an offense that is plagued by offensive line injuries, there’s only so much the veteran can do at this stage of his career.
That has lent itself to many sentiments that McCarthy will take back the starting job when he is deemed healthy after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2.
Jefferson gave McCarthy a vote of confidence despite going into a Week 5 matchup against the Cleveland Browns with Wentz as the starting quarterback.
“He’s definitely in the mix. He’s in the back of the offense (during practice), making sure he’s getting all of those mental reps,” Jefferson said of McCarthy. “He’s still communicating with the quarterbacks and communicating with C-Wentz about what he sees out there. At the end of the day, he’s still our guy and he’s still the quarterback that we lean on. So he definitely has to be in there mentally, physically. He definitely can’t sit back and just watch and go through the motions.
“He’s still our guy. He’s still the quarterback that we lean on.”
Vikings Offense Has Lacked Rhythm Amid O-Line Injuries
When the Vikings replaced all three starting interior offensive linemen in the offseason, the hope was for a massive improvement in pass protection spearheaded by the additions of center Ryan Kelly and guards Will Fries and Donovan Jackson.
However, the projected starting five has not played a single snap together this season. Christian Darrisaw missed the first two games of the season. Ryan Kelly has been out with multiple concussions. Donovan Jackson underwent wrist surgery, and Brian O’Neill is week-to-week with a hamstring injury.
That’s led to porous pass protection. The Vikings quarterbacks have been sacked on 13.95% of dropbacks this season, the highest rate in team history the 12th highest in NFL history.
In Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Vikings went 4-for-14 on third downs and saw Wentz take three sacks in scenarios where they needed nine or more yards for a first down.
The offense has struggled to sustain drives this season, ranking 26th in first downs, 28th in time of possession and 29th in total plays — a cause of the lack of offensive production this season.
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