Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has approached this offseason differently than in the past, which will pay off dividends during the season.
Jefferson has been attending voluntary OTAs and has been around the building during the offseason more frequently than he has in the past few years. This is to help out his new young quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, and ensure they have that chemistry. Jefferson also wants to work with his other wide receiver, Jordan Addison, to help in his development.
The 2025 season is an important one for the Vikings, as the talent is there to make a legitimate playoff run. Jefferson understands this better than anyone, and that's why he's putting in the work during the offseason and will be doing the same before training camp.
Justin Jefferson plans to work with J.J. McCarthy and Jordan Addison before Minnesota Vikings training camp
Jefferson spoke with the media after their minicamp practice on Thursday, sharing what he will be doing during the month, as well as his plans for time off from work. He shared how he and McCarthy will continue to work on their chemistry by working out together.
"Oh, for sure. I've kind of been around a lot this offseason in Minnesota. Definitely going to pick it back up once we settle down a bit and get some rest. Mentally and physically, just allow our bodies to reset a little bit. Once we pick things back up, definitely will get out there with him, build that connection, and continue on working on that chemistry."
During his career, Jefferson has had Kirk Cousins, Sean Mannion, Nick Mullens, Joshua Dobbs, Jaren Hall, and Sam Darnold under center at some point or another since 2020. Jefferson wants to make sure that he and McCarthy work closely to build that relationship.
The two didn't have a chance last year as McCarthy's torn meniscus cost him the whole season. McCarthy has been working all offseason to fully recover and work with Jefferson and Addison to get on the same page.
Jefferson also wants to make sure he and Addison are working well together in 2025. The two will also be together as Jefferson is seeing good improvement from his teammate.
"He had a great spring. I feel like him maturing, him going on his third year, of course, he's a lot more comfortable in this offense. He's still learning as well. He's learning from me, learning from coach Keenan, you know, just learning from different guys.
Also told him to come work out with me while we have this time off as well, to make sure we have that bond together. He's like little bro too so, you know, just carrying him under my wing and just making sure that we both understand that we have a big role in this offense and the team needs us to be on our A-game.
Why not have him come and work out with me, and just be in the mix so we both can see and we both can compete with each other."
Addison and Jefferson have both been in the top three on the team in receiving yards over the last two years. They've combined for 34 of the 65 total touchdowns Vikings quarterbacks have thrown in 2023 and 2024.
Many across the NFL believe that Jefferson and Addison are one of the best wide receiver duos in the league. The work they are doing together is evidence of that.
Jefferson is hoping that with a solidified franchise quarterback and a reliable teammate in the passing game, this is the year the Vikings take that next step and win a postseason game.
