Justin Jefferson Defends J.J. McCarthy, Expects Vikings QB to 'Bounce Back'

J.J. McCarthy has struggled in his first season as the Minnesota Vikings' starter, and the result has been a disappointing 2-4 record in his starts.

But his top receiver, Justin Jefferson, isn't losing the faith.

"It's early," he told reporters Wednesday. "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, and he obviously had to go through the mental stage of having to overcome an injury the first year. So just a tough transition for him. 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."

McCarthy missed his entire rookie season due to a meniscus injury and five games this year with a high-ankle sprain. In his six starts he's thrown for 929 yards, six touchdowns and a whopping 10 interceptions, completing just 54.1 percent of his passes while taking 20 sacks.

Packers Troll Vikings After INT 😏

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It hasn't been pretty, though Jefferson cited a number of reasons for expecting McCarthy to bounce back once he's able to play again (he's currently in the concussion protocol following Week 12's 23-6 loss against the Green Bay Packers).

"Just talking to him. Talking to him and seeing the arm talent that he has, seeing his composure, seeing the confidence that he comes with every single day," Jefferson told reporters. "Of course, seeing the poise that he has throughout the game. He's relentless. He's confident to go out there. He just has to carry it on throughout week to week and just show up on Sundays with that mentality that he's been having the whole entire week."