Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson had just two words for his team’s quarterback, J.J. McCarthy.
On Thursday, the four-time Pro Bowler participated in a rapid-fire one-word game with Yahoo Sports. When the Vikings quarterback’s name came up, the wide receiver immediately responded with:
Thanks for the submission!
“Young Bull.”
•
Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!
Last season has been difficult for Justin Jefferson and the Vikings. The team did not retain quarterback Sam Darnold after he led them to the playoffs during the 2024 season. He ended up joining the Seahawks and emerging as Super Bowl LX champions with them.
On the other hand, Kevin O’Connell and his team placed their faith in J.J. McCarthy as the QB1 after missing his entire rookie campaign due to an injury. However, the quarterback failed to impress with his performance.
He saw limited time on the field due to a string of injuries. McCarthy played in 10 games and recorded 1,632 yards and 11 TDs passing while the Vikings finished with a 9-8 record, failing to make the playoffs. This raised questions about the quarterback’s future with the franchise.
However, Justin Jefferson has not yet given up on McCarthy. On the “Up & Adams” show earlier this month, he gave an insight into their offseason plans to help develop the quarterback and take his game to the next level.
“As of right now, J.J McCarthy is my quarterback,” Jefferson said. “For me, it’s to get him to where we need to go. It starts off right now in offseason and get him better now. … If you look at the film, if you look at the things he’s done, he’s done very good things. Obviously, it wasn’t the most spectacular things. … Those are the things that he understand and we all understand that there’s some things to work on.
“But J.J.’s a really good quarterback. … He’s a great leader, he’s a great motivator.”
The Vikings’ offensive struggles also resulted in Justin Jefferson’s productivity taking a hit. During the 2025 season, he finished with 1,048 yards and just two touchdowns receiving.
ALSO READ: “He needs to learn playing with the best receiver”: Justin Jefferson gets brutally honest on J.J. McCarthy as Vikings eye bringing in veteran QB
ALSO READ: Justin Jefferson goes off after Pro Bowl snub despite “difficult season and still having 1,000 yards”
Justin Jefferson breaks silence on trade rumors linking him to the Buffalo Bills
After struggling to find success with the Vikings in 2025, Justin Jefferson’s name has been in the trade rumor mill. The Buffalo Bills have been linked with the wide receiver as a viable option to provide 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen with a reliable pair of hands.
However, earlier this month, Jefferson came forward to put these rumors to rest.
“I’ve been hearing a couple of (Bills) mafia fans talking a little bit here and there, but I’m a Viking,” Jefferson said on the ‘Up & Adams’ Show. “Minnesota is a lot more colder. So I must say I keep it cold in Minnesota.”
Jefferson has been with the Vikings since being drafted 22nd overall in 2020. In six seasons, he has recorded 8,480 yards and 42 TDs receiving. In 2024, he agreed to a four-year extension worth $140 million, keeping him with the team through 2028.
Edited by Priyam Hazarika
