Justin Jefferson isn’t one to toss out praise lightly - especially when it comes to coaches. So when the Vikings star wideout lit up about Joe Brady’s promotion to head coach of the Buffalo Bills, it definitely raised some eyebrows across the NFL landscape.
Brady, who replaces Sean McDermott following Buffalo’s Divisional Round loss to Denver, isn’t just another name on the coaching carousel for Jefferson. He’s the guy who helped launch Jefferson into stardom back in 2019, when Brady was calling plays for that electric LSU offense featuring Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Jefferson himself. That unit didn’t just win a national title - they rewrote the record books and sent three future NFL stars flying up draft boards.
Now, with Brady stepping into the top job in Buffalo, Jefferson couldn’t help but reflect on their shared history - and what it could mean for the future.
“He’s already been doing a phenomenal job behind the scenes,” Jefferson said on the Sports Seriously podcast. “Of course, the TV crew will show him in the box calling the plays and stuff… He’s a great coach. Having him as my offensive coordinator (at LSU) my 2019 year, we had so much fun together just building and working on our craft.”
Jefferson didn’t stop there. He credited Brady as a major reason he became a first-round pick: “I feel like he was mostly the reason why I got picked first round… So, it’s a blessing - it’s honestly just crazy to see the change over the past six years.
I’m happy for him, I’m happy to see the different things he’ll do, especially, of course, with Josh Allen at quarterback. I’m excited to see how he carries that team.”
That’s a strong endorsement - and naturally, it’s sparked plenty of chatter among fans. Some are connecting the dots, wondering if Jefferson might be eyeing a reunion with his former OC in Buffalo. And with the Vikings in a state of flux, the speculation isn’t coming out of nowhere.
Minnesota just fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, and there’s no replacement in place yet. The quarterback situation has been a revolving door, with JJ McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer all taking snaps in a season that never found its rhythm.
The result? A 9-8 finish and a seat at home during the playoffs - a far cry from the 14-win campaign the year before.
Jefferson still managed 84 catches for 1,048 yards and two touchdowns - solid numbers, but well below his usual All-Pro standard. And it’s hard to blame him.
The Vikings’ trio of quarterbacks combined for 17 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. That’s not exactly the formula for elite receiver production.
So while Jefferson hasn’t asked out of Minnesota, the writing on the wall is getting harder to ignore. He’s entering the prime of his career, and the Vikings have yet to win a playoff game since drafting him in 2020. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a player of his caliber - especially when former teammates like Chase and Burrow have already made deep postseason runs.
If Minnesota can’t get things turned around in 2026, the pressure to move Jefferson - or for him to request a trade - is only going to grow. And with Joe Brady now leading a Bills team that features a top-tier quarterback in Josh Allen and a playoff-ready roster, the idea of Jefferson catching passes in Buffalo doesn’t feel like pure fantasy anymore.
For now, Jefferson’s focused on the future - both his and Brady’s. But if the Vikings can’t give him a clear path to contention, don’t be surprised if the NFL’s most polished route-runner starts looking for a new one.