The Minnesota Vikings are 4-8 through 13 weeks, and the frustration is starting to show - not just among fans, but possibly within the locker room itself. Quarterback J.J.
McCarthy has had a rocky go of it, battling both inconsistency and injuries in his first full season as a starter. And while growing pains are to be expected with a young QB, the stakes feel higher when you’ve got a generational talent like Justin Jefferson on the other end of those passes.
Jefferson, the Vikings’ superstar wideout and face of the franchise, is clearly feeling the weight of a season that’s spiraling. He skipped media availability following a tough loss, and while that alone doesn’t mean he’s looking for the exit, it’s hard to ignore the growing buzz around his future in Minnesota.
That buzz got even louder this week thanks to a comment from someone who knows a thing or two about being a frustrated elite receiver in purple and gold: Randy Moss. During ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown,” Moss didn’t mince words when asked whether Jefferson should wait around for McCarthy to develop.
“I wouldn’t,” Moss said flatly. “I would not.”
Now, Moss isn’t in the building. He’s not speaking for Jefferson. But when a Hall of Famer and Vikings legend says he’d be looking for a way out, it hits differently - especially when the team is underperforming and the quarterback situation is in flux.
Jefferson hasn’t said anything publicly to suggest he wants out, and it’s worth noting that he just inked a massive four-year, $140 million extension earlier this year. That deal keeps him in Minnesota through the 2028 season, giving the Vikings plenty of leverage and time to right the ship. But contracts don’t always prevent exits in today’s NFL - especially when elite players start to feel like their prime years are being wasted.
And that’s where the concern creeps in for Vikings fans. They’ve seen this movie before.
Moss, like Jefferson, was a first-round pick who quickly became a superstar in Minnesota. But by the time he was 28 - still in his prime - the Vikings traded him away.
Jefferson turns 27 this offseason. The parallels are uncomfortable.
Still, there are reasons for optimism. Despite the record, Minnesota has shown flashes this season, and the organization has treated Jefferson like the cornerstone he is. The front office didn’t hesitate to pay him, and they’ve made it clear he’s the centerpiece of their long-term plans.
As for McCarthy, he’s still in the early stages of his development. This is his second year in the league and his first as a full-time starter.
Growing pains are part of the deal, especially at the quarterback position. The Vikings knew this would be a process, and while the results haven’t come quickly, there’s still time for McCarthy to become the player they envisioned when they drafted him.
The key now is keeping the locker room aligned and the vision intact. Losing seasons test a team’s foundation, and this one is no exception. But if Minnesota can stabilize the quarterback position, continue building around Jefferson, and show real progress in 2026, this could still be a temporary setback - not the beginning of a breakup.
For now, Jefferson remains under contract, still one of the most electrifying players in the league, and still wearing Vikings purple. That should give fans some peace of mind - even if the noise around his future isn’t going away anytime soon.