Vikings' Justin Jefferson sends message to fans about expectations for J.J. McCarthy

It remains to be seen what Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be like as a pro after the 2024 first-round draft pick spent his entire rookie season recovering from a meniscus repair.

While speaking with reporters at training camp on Thursday, All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson touched upon what Vikings supporters and NFL fans alike should expect from McCarthy in 2025. 

"You definitely have to have patience," Jefferson said about McCarthy, per Sports Illustrated's Eva Geitheim. "He’s pretty much a rookie. Last year pretty much doesn't count for him. He's still new to the scheme, new to coming out here and throwing it to these different receivers. You’re not really expecting him to have the same mindset as a veteran. You can’t really have that expectation from him, but we do have an expectation of him being great, him coming out here every single day and working his butt off and progressing every single day. And we do see that progression just on that second day of camp."

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and other staff members had McCarthy participate in game plan meetings throughout the 2024 season as Sam Darnold guided the club to a 14-3 record and a playoff berth. While Darnold's woeful final two outings made it easier for Minnesota to let him leave via free agency, he played well enough during the campaign to receive a three-year, $100.5M contract from the Seattle Seahawks. 

Per Pro Football Reference, Darnold ended the 2024 regular season ranked sixth in the NFL among qualified players with a 102.5 passer rating, fifth with 35 passing touchdowns and fifth with 4,319 passing yards. 

It was previously suggested that the Vikings could either welcome a reunion with Atlanta Falcons backup Kirk Cousins or turn to future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers, allowing McCarthy to spend a season learning as a healthy QB2. O'Connell and Co. instead went all-in on believing McCarthy will be ready to impress when Minnesota opens the upcoming campaign with a "Monday Night Football" matchup against the rival Chicago Bears on Sept. 8. 

"It's coming along for him," Jefferson added about McCarthy. "I feel like you can see the confidence he has out there, and if you're in the huddle, you see the confidence he has just seeing the play and just getting out there and wanting to make the next play. I feel like his progression is coming along."

According to StatMuse, no player has tallied more total regular-season receiving yards than Jefferson (7,432) since he entered the NFL following the 2020 draft. He should help make life a little easier for the 22-year-old McCarthy when he faces a live defense at Chicago's Soldier Field in front of a prime-time television audience.