Vikings All-Pro Speaks Out On JJ McCarthy’s Play After ‘Tough’ Start
The Minnesota Vikings‘ season has not gone to plan. On the one hand, the defense has not managed to take that step forward into becoming one of the league’s elite units – although they are still 11th in total defense.
But the bigger issue has concerned the offense, where quarterback, JJ McCarthy has severely underperformed relative to even modest pre-season expectations.
Under him, the team have just a 2-4 record – worse than that of backup, Carson Wentz, who went 2-3 in his 5 starts, and who also exhibited far superior general play to the second year pro – and McCarthy himself has a quarterback rating of 57.9, the second worst in the league behind only rookie fifth rounder, Shedeur Sanders, who has just one career start to his name.
As much of the support for McCarthy has rapidly become to collapse amongst the Vikings’ fanbase, as his performances have failed to generate much to be enthused about, one player remains hopeful.
Justin Jefferson Shares His Thoughts On JJ McCarthy
All-Pro wideout and former Offensive Player of the Year, Justin Jefferson – another “JJ” – spoke to the media on Wednesday, and shared his thoughts on the team’s starting quarterback’s play over the course of his first six starts.
#Vikings WR Justin Jefferson says JJ McCarthy’s first 6 games was “tough,” but he still remains confident that he will bounce back:
“I feel like he’s gonna bounce back in a different way than everybody else is gonna think so.”
“Tough, I would say”, Jefferson said when asked to describe McCarthy’s first six starts as a pro, “All in all just because it’s early. He’s new to the game, he’s new to the NFL. He’s learning just like everyone else had to learn as a rookie. And he obviously had to go through the mental stage of having to overcome an injury in the first year.”
Jefferson emphasized the struggles of being a young player early on as part of the former Michigan man’s steep learning curve in adjusting to the pro game, but expressed confidence that McCarthy will surprise people and manage to push on from his struggles so far this season.
“Just a tough transition for him. But I feel like just him learning these past couple of games and of course learning the stretch of the season. I feel like he’s going to bounce back in a different way than everybody else is going to think.”
JJ McCarthy Has Had A Difficult Start To His NFL Career
McCarthy has faced not one but two layoffs that have seen him miss substantial time over the course of his first two years in the league.
The first – a meniscus tear – kept him out for the entirety of his rookie season, although with former starter, Sam Darnold’s excellent play throughout the year, it is quite possible he would have remained on the sidelines for the duration of 2024, irregardless of the status and his health.
And the second one; a high ankle sprain suffered in the blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons back in September; saw him miss a month-and-a-half of action in the early part of the 2025 season.
Now the onus is on JJ to starting stringing together more consistent play post-snap, as the season enters a critical juncture heading into the final six weeks of the regular season.
Alvin Kamara Knee Injury May Mean End of the Road in New Orleans
The New Orleans draft class of 2017 is widely taked about for a few reasons but the main one is Alvin Kamara. It is hard to believe but this year or next year may truly be it for the talented running back in New Orleans. The dual threat has played nine years in the Big East. However, this season has seen a breakdown of his body and arguably his fantasy and team relevance.
A knee injury suffered last week may prove to be the last thing we remember of Kamara in New Orleans. Time will tell but the expectation is that the 30-year-old could have a new address come 2026.
The latest report suggested that Kamara has an MCL sprain of his knee.
It was updated and confirmed to be the case later.
From a fantasy football perspective, this is probably it for the 2025 season for Kamara owners. Even if this is a milder MCL sprain, expect the running back to miss 2-4 weeks. If it any worse, we are talking the 4-6 week territory. Potentially, he could return as soon as Week 16 or 17. However, the risk of re-injury may give New Orleans pause.
One of the biggest problems are age plus wear and tear with Kamara. He had an incredible first four years in the NFL including that six touchdown game against the Minnesota Vikings. Since that initial run which saw him appear in the Pro Bowl four times, he received one more Pro Bowl nod.
The numbers declined further this year as Devin Neal was starting to eat into his snap share. It felt like a matter of time. Kamara knows the NFL is not forever but even he hoped 2025 might end a little better. Instead, the Saints are 2-9 and again going nowhere fast. Now Kamara faces missing several weeks and an uncertain future at best.
Neal did not gain many yards after the Kamara injury but it was clear who was the RB1 in the aftermath. For perspective on target potential, here we go.
Neal expects to see that level of targets from an out of hte backfield standpoint. The former Kansas Jayhawk can make people miss and the Saints are hoping lightning strikes twice. One thing is certain, Neal is being added in a lot of fantasy football leagues. The volume and rate he is being added is incredible.
He caught five passes for 43 yards on Sunday against Atlanta. There was a 18-yard reception where it looked a little like Kamara out there. Can Neal be as or nearly as explosive as Kamara on screen plays? Time will tell.
It really feels like a pasing of the torch in a way. This is not how it was supposed to go in New Orleans. Maybe we are ultimately wrong but it feels like the end of an era for Kamara in terms of fantasy relevance and his time as a Saint.
