The 2025 season hasn’t worked out in favor of the Minnesota Vikings. Throughout this disappointing year, perhaps the most criticism has come J.J. McCarthy’s way. The quarterback has struggled with inconsistency and injuries, leading to constant questioning from the media and fans. Amidst this scrutiny, WR1 Justin Jefferson issued a powerful message for his quarterback during his recent live stream.

“Nah, man, I ain’t bringing J.J. McCarthy on here,” Justin Jefferson said on his stream, “because if I bring him on here, y’all gonna start trolling the dude… I don’t need my youngin seeing that. Y’all gonna be calling him all types of names, y’all mean, bro.”

The statement by Justin Jefferson highlighted his desire to protect his younger teammate. McCarthy missed his rookie season last year with a right knee injury. Now in his second year, this season has also been significantly impacted by injuries so far. J.J. McCarthy suffered an earlier ankle injury and a concussion, which kept him out for almost half of this season. Subsequently, in the penultimate game of the season against the Detroit Lions, the 22-year-old picked up a hairline fracture in his right hand.

These back-to-back injuries have led to the inconsistent season McCarthy has had. He has recorded 1,450 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions this season. Despite these doubts, Justin Jefferson also shared that he would enjoy playing with McCarthy come the next season during his interview with ESPN ahead of the last game of the season.

“Of course, I would love for him to be here,” Justin Jefferson said. “I would love for him to be the quarterback. Especially off this year. I feel like he needs to show everybody and prove to everybody that he is that top-tier quarterback. I would love to work with him and show everybody that he is that No. 1 guy.”

While the 2024 first-round pick has the backing of his best receiver, there’s a report making the rounds that highlights the slight uncertainty of the Vikings’ front office, which is looking for reinforcement for their quarterback room this offseason.

Vikings eyeing QB options as J.J. McCarthy’s injury struggles continue

After missing out on a playoff spot, the Minnesota Vikings are set to take a significant step as they enter the offseason after their loss against the Green Bay Packers. Despite their turbulent season, the Vikings held the playoff-bound Packers to just a field goal in their final game. Even in the win, McCarthy’s contribution was evidently absent with zero touchdown passes. According to an Athletic writer, the team plans to address this QB issue soon.

As per Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the team will be eyeing QB options despite having McCarthy in their plans, who will play the third season of his four-year rookie contract next year.

“The Vikings were looking for emphatic proof this season that [McCarthy is] the long-term answer, and because of a series of injuries, they never got it,” Russini wrote. “Over the next few months, sources say, Minnesota plans to explore established options via trade or free agency to strengthen its quarterback room.”

While the report doesn’t allude to the end of the road for J.J. McCarthy, it clearly highlights the urgency the Vikings have to win games while having a talented yet injury-prone quarterback on the roster. This season, had it been for fewer sidelines for the sophomore, another win or two could have even seen them make the playoffs.

This decision could entail bringing in Mac Jones of the San Francisco 49ers via a trade or perhaps pushing to sign Green Bay Packers backup Malik Willis in free agency. Minnesota could also go the Steelers route of chasing a veteran and bringing in an established shot-caller, like New York Giants star Russell Wilson. Veteran experience could also allow the 22-year-old to learn and help expedite McCarthy’s growth as the eventual QB1 over the coming years.