Vikings Star Justin Jefferson Stands Firm in Support of J.J. McCarthy
The Minnesota Vikings have been a somewhat rollercoaster ride during the 2025 NFL season, with the team experiencing ups and downs while trying to get second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy up to speed and prepared to lead this franchise for the foreseeable future.
Although McCarthy has shown flashes of brilliance, especially in clutch situations throughout the 2025 campaign, he has also made several rookie mistakes, which have left him open to criticism on a weekly basis from fans and the media.
With the team coming off a fourth loss in five games, McCarthy has come under fire once again.
Justin Jefferson Shows Support for Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 and Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings.
With McCarthy going through some growing pains during his first full season in the NFL, the Michigan has had no lack of support from head coach Kevin O’Connell and superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
On Thursday, during media availability, Jefferson came to McCarthy’s defense, as the superstar wideout knows how much the 22-year-old quarterback has been dealing with off the field.
“I just know with all of the criticism and all of the hateful messages he’s probably been getting, he can cut on the TV or SportsCenter. They can talk negatively about him. So, just trying to be that person for him that he can always lean on and talk to. But it’s just all about just coming out here with that mindset of getting better and taking one play at a time, one day at a time. And ultimately just coming into the game with that focus at a high level and just do what he’s been doing his whole entire career.”
There’s no question that Jefferson is all in on McCarthy being the starting quarterback for this team and will continue to show support for the young gunslinger as he learns the ropes on the NFL level.
J.J. McCarthy Reacts to Justin Jefferson’s Support
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings.
McCarthy knows that he’s getting the support he needs to improve on a weekly basis, learning from O’Connell’s coaching and Jefferson’s experience as a veteran in this league.
The young quarterback expressed his gratitude for all the support he’s gotten earlier this week during a team press conference.
“I can’t thank them enough for the patience level and the leadership out of every person in that group, them pushing me every single day to be the best version of myself, and doing it in ways that a lot of people don’t see,” McCarthy said. “I just love them with all my heart and [ I am] so grateful for every single one of those boys.”
The real question moving forward is whether McCarthy will be able to turn the corner this season or if it will happen further down the road during his NFL career.
Only time will tell, but right now, the Vikings’ leader under center will have to focus on taking on the division rival Green Bay Packers for the first time on the road at Lambeau Field.
NFC South rival unknowingly gifted Falcons with the perfect fix for their WR problem
Michael Penix Jr. and Drake London going down with injuries was the cherry on top of what has been a nightmare season for the Atlanta Falcons.
Particularly with London, he represented almost all of the team's passing game. Not having him for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, at least, is a scary thought for an offense that has struggled enough.
However, in a potential ironic twist, they could help patch the major hole at receiver by signing Brandin Cooks, who was recently released by the Saints, for an immediate revenge game in Week 12.
Falcons need to pounce after the Saints' release of Brandin Cooks
It isn't often that a veteran receiver with six-time 1,000-yard receiver gets released in the middle of the season, but that is the case after New Orleans released Cooks, who was on his second stint with the organization.
Cooks is the reliable target that the Dirty Birds desperately need. Without London, their top receiver is Darnell Mooney, who has 16 receptions for 224 yards and no touchdowns this season.
While Cooks' stats aren't earth-shattering—19 receptions for 165 yards and no touchdowns—he would give Kirk Cousins a target who actually knows how to get open who still can provide the offense with some vertical juice.
The Falcons cannot rely on David Sills V and Casey Washington to be their No. 2 and No. 3 receivers. They have a combined 24 receptions for 265 yards and zero touchdowns in 41 career games and neither of them are viable starting options.
Meanwhile, the 32-year-old has 729 receptions for 9,697 yards and 16 touchdowns in his 168-game career that's spanned across 12 NFL seasons.
If another team lands him, the Falcons better hope Cousins' training camp chemistry with Sills and his previous reliance on Mooney pay off. They would be left with Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson if neither of them steps up.
Washington has seen his role diminish after his coaches hyped him up over the offseason, and KhaDarel Hodge has seen less action than he did last year when he was lower in the pecking order.
Unfortunately, this offense is only going to struggle even more down the stretch. Cousins has had a brutal past ten games, and that isn't likely to change as he is thrust into the starting role in the latter half of the season with the NFL's worst receiver corps.
Adding the Oregon State product is the least this front office could do for him. It isn't fair to throw him into this offense and expect him to produce. You also have to think about Cousins' future. If he doesn't perform, he can kiss landing a starting job next year goodbye.
All in all, the Falcons have a massive mess that could be slightly aided by the addition of Cooks.
