By Cole SullivanShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Minnesota Vikings are in the middle of one of their toughest stretches of the season, currently sitting at 4-6 as they head into their Week 12 matchup against the NFC North rival Green Bay Packers.
At the center of much of the Vikings’ turmoil and criticism is second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who is coming off a rough outing in the loss to the Chicago Bears, completing just 50% of his passes for 150 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
Across the five games he has started this season, the Vikings are 2-3, and McCarthy is completing just 52.9% of his passes for 842 yards, six touchdowns, eight interceptions, and four fumbles.
McCarthy has faced scrutiny from the media and fans, with many calling for a change at quarterback. This is effectively his first real NFL season after suffering a season-ending injury last preseason and not taking a single regular-season snap as a rookie.
However, Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson continues to serve as a leader both on and off the field and stepped up to publicly support his quarterback on Thursday.
“The people out there at practice see the throws that he makes, see the reads that he’s making. He’s making great reads. He’s throwing the ball with great accuracy,” Jefferson said during his Thursday press conference.
“It’s just all about doing it in the game. Not allowing the game to speed up his brain, and that’s also something I had to learn as well… just allowing himself to be in the moment, to be poised, to be focused on everything we have going on, and just be yourself. He can make those throws. He’s a great quarterback in this league."
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Jefferson also addressed the criticism McCarthy has faced following the Vikings’ last two losses to the Ravens and Bears, where the quarterback struggled to find consistency.
“With all of the criticism and all of the hateful messages he’s probably been getting—he can turn on SportsCenter and hear people talking negatively about him—I’m just trying to be that person he can lean on and talk to," Jefferson added.
...Jefferson could easily be frustrated by his drop in production and choose to stay quiet about the team’s struggles. Instead, he’s embraced his role as a leader.
This season, Jefferson has recorded 56 receptions for 747 yards and two touchdowns.
He’s on pace to surpass 1,000 receiving yards once again, but unless he finishes the year had a dominant rate, his overall production will show a noticeable decrease compared to last season, when he played alongside Sam Darnold at quarterback and recorded 103 receptions, 1,533 yards, and 10 touchdowns.
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