Justin Jefferson Talks McCarthy, 'I Want Him to be Just as Confident as I am of Him'

Minnesota Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson didn't get much time to develop chemistry with quarterback J.J. McCarthy before a torn meniscus forced him to miss his entire rookie season, but he still feels they're on the right track.

Per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, Jefferson recently told Jason Fitz of Yahoo Sports that he is "trying to make him dialed in every chance that I can" in hopes of getting McCarthy's confidence up before he takes the field for the 2025 season.

"Our lockers are right next to each other, so every chance that I get to talk to him about football, about anything that goes on outside of football," Jefferson said. "Just try to get to know him as much as I can because when the season comes and whenever we’re locked in, I want him to be just as confident as I am of him to make the plays out there."

The Vikings selected McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft, and he showed a ton of promise with two touchdowns in the preseason opener that year. However, he injured his knee in that game and had to undergo season-ending surgery.

Despite being without their prized rookie, the Vikings went 14-3 last season. Veteran quarterback Sam Darnold stepped up in McCarthy's absence and put forth the best year of his career, but he Minnesota let him walk this offseason when he signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

McCarthy will surely benefit from having Jefferson and other talented players around him as he embarks on his first healthy NFL season. He will get the chance to develop his connection with the offense when the Vikings open training camp next week.