Justin Jefferson's Disappointing Stats Explained by KOC, HC Says Vikings Must 'Activate' Star WR

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has an explanation for why Justin Jefferson hasn't really gotten going so far this season, while understanding they need to make him more of a focal point in the offense.

Speaking to reporters after Wednesday's practice, O'Connell discussed Minnesota's game script impacting Jefferson's usage as he pointed out a need to "activate" the star receiver:

"In the past we were throwing the ball a thousand times. That's one thing. When you lead the league or you're close to in rushing attempts on the early downs, controlling the game or attempting to control the game, there may not be just the amount of volume [of throws]. But he's our best player. We've got to find a way to continue to activate him."

Jefferson has 302 receiving yards and three touchdowns in five games this season. He leads the Vikings in both categories, but is on pace for his fewest yards and receptions in a full season since entering the NFL.

O'Connell's assessment about the volume of pass attempts impacting Jefferson's usage does track to some extent. The Vikings finished in the top 11 of pass attempts per game every season from 2021 to '23.

Those three seasons mark Jefferson's best in terms of receiving yards per game. He had 3,425 receiving yards across the 2021 and '22 seasons. His 2023 campaign was only 10 games due to a hamstring injury, but he still finished with 1,074 yards.

Since the start of the 2025 season, the Vikings rank 24th in pass attempts per game. Jefferson has 1,350 receiving yards in those 22 games.

However, the outlier here is Jefferson's rookie season in 2020. The Vikings averaged the sixth-fewest pass attempts per game, but he still finished with 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns.

It's hard not to acknowledge that Minnesota's passing game so far this season with Kyler Murray has not taken off. Two of Jefferson's three touchdown catches came in Week 1 with Carson Wentz at quarterback after Murray was injured.

Murray is averaging a career-low 162.4 passing yards per game with just three touchdown passes in five starts.

Despite not getting the full effect of Jefferson's impact, the Vikings are the NFL's last remaining unbeaten team with a 6-0 record thanks to a defense allowing a league-low 12.3 points per game.

Minnesota will look to extend its season-long winning streak to seven games on Sunday in a crucial NFC North showdown with the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.