The 2024 NFL season was forgettable, to say the least, for the Minnesota Vikings. Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy went down with a season-ending knee injury during the preseason, and things seemed to go downhill from there.
Heading into the 2025 campaign, the Vikings were hoping for a bounce-back season, with McCarthy back in the fold. Unfortunately for Minnesota, the team’s new starting quarterback is already back on the shelf after two games due to an ankle injury, putting the Vikings in a bind heading into Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
With McCarthy likely sidelined for a few weeks, the Vikings will have to turn to veteran journeyman Carson Wentz to shoulder the load, with Max Brosmer and Desmond Ridder filling out the quarterback depth chart. One player that will be impacted more than any due to the situation is superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who will have to adjust to yet another quarterback in Minnesota.
Jefferson Must Adjust to Another Vikings QB
GettyWide receiver Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings
Jefferson shared his thoughts on being set to catch passes from Wentz moving forward and what the veteran’s experience provides that McCarthy lacks during a Vikings press conference on Thursday, ahead of Week 3’s matchup with the Bengals.
“He just has the experience,” Jefferson said. “Just going out there and being able to run the show. Coach (Kevin O’Connell) likes to call him the point guard because he’s been in the game a little while now. Of course, him doing the things he’s already done. This is just another game to him, and of course, him being able to be in practice last week and have a couple reps with the ones last week. It’s really just another day out there with another quarterback.”
Wentz Will Have a Talented Group of Vikings Receivers
Even though Wentz is being thrust into another challenging situation on the NFL level, the 32-year-old will have some weapons at his disposal, which could unlock something for the veteran who is playing for his sixth team since being drafted No. 2 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jefferson feels confident he and Wentz will be on the same page in Week 3 at home in Minnesota.
“I don’t feel like we missed a beat,” Jefferson said.”Of course, it’s the next man up, but we feel comfortable with anybody goes out there, especially with the guys we have out there on that field.”
Wentz will have the advantage of being able to throw to Jefferson and veteran wideout Adam Thielen, as well as talented tight end T.J. Hockenson, with running back Jordan Mason coming out of the backfield.
Obviously, the Vikings aren’t at full strength when it comes to their weapons in the passing and ground game, with Aaron Jones put on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury and wide receiver Jordan Addison still serving a suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
It’ll be interesting to see if Wentz’s experience kicks in and helps the team bounce back from a disappointing Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
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