Justin Jefferson Has Full Faith in JJ McCarthy Despite Brutal Loss to Packers

Minnesota Vikings’ JJ McCarthy finished 12-of-19 passing for just 87 yards and threw two interceptions against the Packers last week.

Justin Jefferson Has Full Faith in JJ McCarthy Despite Brutal Loss to Packers

Justin Jefferson in circle and JJ McCarthy (Images via The Viking Age/Sky Sports)

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The Minnesota Vikings are having a season nothing like the one before. The team named after mighty warriors of the ancient lands were led by a re-surging Sam Darnold, who traded divisions for the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason, and finished with 14 wins. Heading into Week 13, these warriors are a shell of what they were last season. They are last in their division with just four wins so far.

The 2025 season held so many hopes for the men in purple and white. They had their young rookie, JJ McCarthy, coming into action after spending his first season on the sidelines following an injury. McCarthy, however, didn’t get the ideal start he would have wished for.

McCarthy has been sidelined with an injury twice in the season, and he had paltry numbers in the ones he played. The Week 12 game against divisional rivals Green Bay Packers was a catastrophe of epic proportions. McCarthy not only failed to throw more than 87 yards, but he also threw two interceptions. Not a night to remember for the former college champion.

Despite his tepid start, he still has the backing of his fellow teammates. Justin Jefferson, one of the leading wideouts in the league, defended the young quarterback amid these frustrating times. Jefferson claimed that it’s quite early in his career, and he’s taking some time to learn the ropes. He also added that an injury in his rookie year also acted as a huge mental barrier for the 22-year-old.

He’s new to the game. He’s new to the NFL. He’s learning just like everyone else has to learn as a rookie… . But I feel like just him learning these past couple games, and of course learning [during] the stretch of this season, I feel like he’s going to bounce back in a different way than everybody else is going to think so.

Justin Jefferson said as per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert

Aaron Jones, the Vikings running back, also acknowledged McCarthy’s shortcomings in his first six starts. He addressed these shortcomings while mentioning that he’s proud to see how McCarthy has handled this adversity.

I told him that the ones who counted you out, they’re going to have to recount.

Aaron Jones said

Undrafted Max Brosmer likely to start against Seattle Seahawks on Sunday

On Wednesday, Minnesota Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell stated that although McCarthy had progressed sufficiently through the concussion protocol to participate in practice on a limited basis, his involvement was restricted to individual drills.

Max Brosmer
Max Brosmer (Image via Heavy Sports)

As a result, rookie Max Brosmer assumed all first-team offensive reps during practice, while John Wolford managed the scout-team duties. McCarthy has not been formally ruled out; however, given his limited participation and O’Connell’s consistent emphasis on securing a full week of practice before each game this season, it appears increasingly likely that Brosmer will be designated Minnesota’s starter for Sunday’s matchup in Seattle. If so, Brosmer will become the first undrafted rookie to play for the Vikings since they started Nick Mullens in the Week 18 divisional matchup against the Detroit Lions.

The last time an undrafted rookie played signal caller for the Vikings was over two decades ago. In 2001, Todd Bouman from St. Cloud started for the Vikings. He is also the only undrafted rookie quarterback to play for the Vikings. However, that is about to change if Brosmer comes into action.

However, Brosmer might not be the answer the Vikings are looking for. The numbers are stacked against Brosmer. In the history of the league since the merger, an undrafted rookie quarterback has won just once when starting in a road game.

Kyle Allen, whom we now associate with the Detroit Lions, started for the Carolina Panthers against the New Orleans Saints in 2018 and secured a win. The numbers produced in the five instances that undrafted rookie quarterbacks started in a road game have also been quite paltry.

With history stacked against him, Brosmer also has a tough opponent in the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks are right behind the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West. The Seahawks are on par with the Eagles and the Bears with eight wins and three losses in the league so far.

Also Read: Why Randy Moss Wasn’t Drafted by Cowboys Despite Jerry Jones’ Promise