The Minnesota Vikings snapped a four-game losing streak in Week 14 with a dominant 31-0 victory over the Washington Commanders, but not all was well for the team in this game. That’s because star wide receiver Justin Jefferson endured another quiet outing, as he caught just two passes for 11 yards in this win.
It’s been that sort of season for Jefferson, who has struggled to meet the lofty expectations he set for himself over the first five seasons of his career. While there are certainly things Jefferson could be doing better, Vikings legend Cris Carter believes that struggling second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy is to blame for the superstar pass catcher’s rough year.
Cris Carter Pins Blame for Justin Jefferson’s Struggles on J.J. McCarthy
The No. 22 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Jefferson enjoyed a historically strong start to his career with Minnesota. In his first five seasons, Jefferson eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark each year, even though he only played in 10 games in 2023. In the four other seasons where he played in every game, Jefferson was a Pro Bowler every year, while also earning two All-Pro Second Team selections, two All-Pro First Team selections, and the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year Award.
Things have not gone according to plan in 2025, though. Through 13 games, Jefferson has 64 receptions for 810 yards and two touchdowns. While those numbers aren’t anything to scoff at, Jefferson has not been able to live up to his billing as one of the top wide receivers in the league. How much of his struggles are truly his fault, though?
The Vikings’ quarterback situation, which has primarily been filled by McCarthy, hasn’t been good all season long, and his poor play under center has had a direct impact on Jefferson. In fact, Carter believes that McCarthy is the primary reason for Jefferson’s quiet 2025 season, as he thinks the talented pass-catcher is still doing his job; he just simply isn’t getting the ball.
“The reason why is quarterback play,” Carter bluntly said when speaking about Jefferson’s struggles in an interview with Kyle Odegard of Card Player. “It’s not him. It’s not his ability to get open and threaten the defense and make big plays. So that right there is an issue that needs to be proven out, and the only way it will be proven out is by repetition. That is the only way.
The Vikings are stuck with their quarterback situation, and they’re going to have to keep putting him out there to see if the game will slow down, and if he can vary the velocity on his balls and read defenses on a regular basis. Just like everyone else.”
Could the Vikings Have a Justin Jefferson Problem on Their Hands?
GettyVikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson
While Jefferson has continually said the right things in the media, it’s been tough to ignore his frustrations with Minnesota’s offense throughout the season. The good news for the Vikings is that Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension before the 2024 campaign, so they don’t truly have to worry about his future with the team unless he requests a trade.
Given how this season has gone, though, rumors have begun to pop up suggesting Jefferson could look to find his way out of Minnesota if McCarthy remains the team’s quarterback. With the playoffs no longer a legitimate possibility, the Vikings should focus on working on building a rapport between Jefferson and McCarthy over the final four games of the season, because if these struggles persist, the talented pass catcher could soon be on the move.
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