The 2025 NFL season has turned out to be forgettable, to say the least, for the once-promising Minnesota Vikings. The team has dealt with several injuries to key players while also not living up to expectations, with young quarterback J.J. McCarthy still a work in progress.
One player who has taken a significant hit to his on-field production due to the team’s quarterback situation throughout the season is superstar Justin Jefferson, who is having the worst statistical season of his NFL career thus far.
The frustration is mounting in Minnesota, but Jefferson wants to get on the same page with McCarthy to get this team on track for next season and beyond.
Justin Jefferson Opens Up About Plans With J.J. McCarthy
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with Justin Jefferson #18
Jefferson expressed his frustration with the 2025 campaign and how things have gone for the Vikings during Thursday’s press conference, as he knows changes need to be made and addressed during the upcoming NFL offseason.
“It’s just one of those difficult years that everybody goes through at some point in time,” Jefferson said during media availability. “I definitely don’t like it, and I definitely hate to be in it. But it just all goes back to the work that I got to put in in the offseason.
“Of course, I’m where I’m at in my career. But it’s definitely not a time to be lackadaisical and to think that everything is all good.”
The superstar wide receiver also made it clear that he’s going to put the work in with McCarthy during the offseason to help them both get on the same page for the 2026 NFL season.
“I just got to still continue to put work in, continue to get with J.J. [McCarthy], to make sure the timing and the connection is continuing to get better during the offseason, and making sure when we get back into this building, we don’t go backwards, we continue to go forward in where we would want to go next year.”
Jefferson and McCarthy working together during the offseason can only improve their chemistry on the field while helping the Vikings reach their true potential for the foreseeable future.
“We’ll always be in that kind of connection,” Jefferson said of working with McCarthy in the offseason. “Of course, having to deal with this season, I feel like we’ll be more eager to have that connection and have that work in the offseason.”
Could the Vikings Go After Aaron Rodgers?
GettyAaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers
If the Vikings aren’t confident that McCarthy is ready to be the starter moving forward and needs more time to develop behind a proven veteran quarterback, the team could explore some options during the NFL offseason, including potentially pursuing four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers is on a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers and hasn’t yet announced his plans for his playing career beyond this season, which prompted Jeff Howe of The Athletic to speculate whether the Vikings could be an option for the one-time Super Bowl champion.
“Rodgers and the Vikings were flirting from across the room last offseason, so there could be some consideration to rekindling those flames, especially if the Vikings want to pause or even halt the JJ McCarthy experiment. Rodgers’ performance is in steep decline. He won’t carry anyone to the playoffs, but he is still capable of being a valuable contributor on a well-constructed roster. Rodgers should have suitors if he wants to entertain them.”
There’s no telling what Rodgers will do at this point, as he could simply retire after this season or take his time during the offseason to consider his options moving forward. However, Minnesota might be an intriguing destination if he knows he’ll be the starter for the 2026 NFL season.
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