The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2025 season with playoff aspirations and a roster full of potential, but when the dust settled on a 9-8 campaign that fell short of the postseason, frustration was the overwhelming emotion in Minneapolis. The team’s struggles at quarterback didn’t just derail their playoff hopes-they also left one of the league’s premier talents, Justin Jefferson, working overtime just to hit a milestone that used to be routine.
Jefferson, who came into the year as the NFL’s all-time leader in receiving yards per game (96.5), saw that average dip to 90.2 by season’s end. He still managed to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark, but it took a full 17-game grind to get there-something that speaks volumes about the inconsistency under center.
And while Jefferson isn’t pointing fingers, he’s not blind to the problem either.
“That person that’s throwing that ball needs to throw that ball, and lead us into that big dance at the end of the season,” Jefferson told Kay Adams on Up and Adams. “That’s not my decision.
I don’t care who’s throwing me that ball. That’s not my main priority.”
That’s about as clear as it gets from a superstar who’s typically measured with his words. Jefferson isn’t campaigning for a specific quarterback, and he’s not looking to stir up drama on social media. But make no mistake-he wants a leader under center who can get Minnesota back into the playoff picture.
The Quarterback Conundrum
The Vikings’ quarterback carousel in 2025 was anything but stable, and the fallout was felt across the offense. Jefferson was targeted 141 times and caught 84 passes for 1,048 yards and just two touchdowns-career lows across the board. That’s not a reflection of Jefferson’s talent; it’s a reflection of the lack of rhythm and reliability at the quarterback position.
J.J. McCarthy, the rookie who saw significant time under center, showed flashes but ultimately fell short of expectations. A completion rate of 57.6% and an 11-to-12 touchdown-to-interception ratio simply doesn’t cut it in today’s NFL-especially when you’ve got a generational receiver like Jefferson on the other end of your passes.
Jefferson knows the chemistry wasn’t there. He’s acknowledged that he and McCarthy need to put in work this offseason to build that connection. And to his credit, he’s not shying away from his own role in that process.
But even the best receivers can only do so much if the ball isn’t getting to them accurately and on time.
What Comes Next?
With general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah out after a quarterback gamble that didn’t pay off, head coach Kevin O’Connell is now tasked with steering the ship forward-and fast. The Vikings can’t afford another year of quarterback uncertainty, not with Jefferson in his prime and the rest of the NFC North getting stronger.
O’Connell understands that Jefferson isn’t just the best player on the roster-he’s the face of the franchise. And while Jefferson isn’t the one making personnel decisions, his voice carries weight in that building. He might not be lobbying for a specific name, but the message is loud and clear: find someone who can lead, deliver the ball, and get this team back to meaningful football in January.
Minnesota is expected to explore every option this offseason-from internal development with McCarthy, to potential trades, to free agency or even the draft. Whatever the path, the goal is the same: get the quarterback position right.
Because when you’ve got a player like Justin Jefferson, you can’t afford to waste seasons. He’s not asking for the moon-just someone who can get him the ball and get the Vikings back to the “big dance.”
And if they figure that part out? Watch out.