Ted Schwerzler: J.J. McCarthy Just Cost Justin Jefferson His Record
When the 2025 NFL regular season started, Minnesota Vikings superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson owned the all-time record for receiving yards per game. Now 14 games into the season, the majority of which have featured first-year starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, that record is no longer his.
The connection showed flashes, but missed timing, limited volume, and situational breakdowns added up, leaving Jefferson well short of a milestone that once felt inevitable.
Sunday night, the Vikings bested the Dallas Cowboys. J.J. McCarthy actually looked capable while putting up one of his better statistical performances of the season. He found six different receivers and tallied 250 total yards. Unfortunately, Justin Jefferson’s name was called very few times.
J.J. McCarthy’s Development Impacted Jefferson’s Record Chase
Jefferson had eight targets but turned them into just two receptions for 22 yards. He had an ugly drop, but the totality of the outing left plenty to be desired. It probably didn’t feel great to see the lackluster quarterback hitting the Griddy on his way into the end zone, having just two touchdowns on the year.
It wasn’t just that Jefferson had another sinker that cost him the record. Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nacua had been on Jefferson’s tail for some time, and unlike the Vikings wideout, he has a quarterback who can sling it. Veteran Matthew Stafford connected with Nacua for 181 yards in Sunday’s win over the Detroit Lions.
There needs to be a turning point in the McCarthy-Jefferson connection sooner rather than later. It’s one thing for the quarterback to look like a competent player the rest of the way, but he can’t continue to ignore one of the league’s top options.
Carson Wentz had McCarthy reaching 100 yards this season. Nick Mullens had done it previously as well. It’s not easy getting such a talented player the rock. Brackets and double coverage will be present, but McCarthy is either incapable or unwilling to make those throws. Neither outcome is a good thing.
No matter what the Vikings do with McCarthy next year, this can’t be the same path. Jefferson needs to see the football, and he has to convert when given an opportunity. Right now, nothing is matching up, and the responsibility falls on the player with the ball in his hands.
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