Vikings: Jefferson and Jones Trust in McCarthy's Resurgence

EAGAN, Minn. – Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy could miss Sunday’s game against Seattle due to a concussion protocol. Despite this situation, two of the team’s most important veterans have expressed their confidence in McCarthy’s long-term prospects. The receiver Justin Jefferson and the running back Aaron Jones acknowledged McCarthy’s difficulties in the first six games of his career. Jefferson described McCarthy’s debut in 2025 as “tough”, but predicted an improvement in the future.

It’s early. He’s new to the game. He’s new to the NFL. He’s learning like everyone else has to learn as a rookie, and obviously he had to go through the mental stage of having to overcome an injury in the first year. So it was a difficult transition for him. But I feel like just learning these last few games, and of course learning throughout the course of this season, I think he’s going to react in a different way than everyone else is going to think.
Justin Jefferson

McCarthy missed five games earlier this season due to a high ankle sprain in his right ankle. He reported concussion symptoms on the flight back from Green Bay on Sunday night and was limited in Wednesday’s practice while remaining in the league’s protocol. Rookie Max Brosmer took all the first-team reps and is expected to start on Sunday unless McCarthy is cleared. In McCarthy’s six starts this season, the Vikings have a 2-4 record. Jefferson has averaged 53 receiving yards in those games, a 43% drop from his career average. When asked why he thinks McCarthy will recover, Jefferson replied:

Just talking to him. Talking to him and seeing the talent he has in his arm, seeing his composure, seeing the confidence with which he comes every day. Of course, seeing the composure he has during the game. He is relentless. He has the confidence to go out there. He just has to take it from week to week and just show up on Sundays with that mentality he’s had all week.
Justin Jefferson

Meanwhile, Jones said he has told McCarthy that he is proud of the way he has handled the adversity of this season.