Justin Jefferson strives to get
back in 'savage mode' to give lagging Vikings offense a boost
[November 15, 2025]
By DAVE CAMPBELL
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Justin Jefferson still draws constant double
coverage. He's made plenty of clutch catches this year. The
Minnesota Vikings continue to keep him as the heart of their entire
offensive scheme.
Over the first half of the season, though, Jefferson hasn't been the
same high-impact player. His averages of 13.5 yards per reception
and 76.2 yards per game are both career lows for the two-time
All-Pro wide receiver.
The transition to a developmental quarterback in J.J. McCarthy, and
the five-game switch to Carson Wentz while McCarthy recovered from a
sprained ankle, has predictably been a factor. But Jefferson
acknowledged this week that he hasn't felt like his usual self,
smiling as he said he's seeking to return to the “savage mode” he
has previously played in.
“Just different things going on in my life,” Jefferson said, without
elaborating when asked during his regular interview session with
reporters why he's been missing that extra edge. “Just wanting to
get back to that kid phase of overly loving football and overly
loving just being out there on Sundays and making the big plays and
just being a part of this great organization.”
For all the route-running clinics he’s put on and highlight-reel
catches Jefferson has produced, the relentless competitor in him has
made just as much of an impact on the team over his six seasons.
During the third-to-last game of the 2023 season against Detroit,
with the playoffs nearly out of reach, Jefferson sprinted 20 yards
to recover a fumble by quarterback Nick Mullens and keep a
last-ditch drive alive, a play that coach Kevin O'Connell has
frequently cited in his praise of Jefferson.
Jefferson, too, has always been keenly self-aware. Without directly
addressing the rare online criticism that went his way for a
lackluster performance in the 27-19 loss to Baltimore last Sunday,
he made clear the perception — fair or not — that he failed to give
full effort to pursue the defenders after two different passes to
him from McCarthy were intercepted didn't sit well with him. He said
essentially that the frustration with those plays going against the
Vikings in another game in which the offense had substandard
production overrode in those situations his instinct to immediately
chase after the ball.
“Emotionally things get heated sometimes, and things weren’t going
our way at that moment. Just wanting a better outcome and of course
with the offense that we have I feel like we should be playing
better than we are,” Jefferson said.
Jefferson was on social media on Thursday when he spotted a post
highlighting the anniversary of the one-handed catch he made on
fourth-and-18 to help Minnesota win at Buffalo during the 2022
season after which he was voted as Associated Press Offensive Player
of the Year. The highlight clip stirred in him that competitive
desire to get back to “Year 3 Jets,” referencing his nickname and
that award-winning 2022 performance.
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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) reacts after
missing a pass on fourth down in the second half of an NFL football
game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in
Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
“I love the job and I love being here with these
guys and being here with this organization, so there’s definitely a
lot of great things to be grateful for and to be happy about,”
Jefferson said. “I’m just an ultra-competitor, and I hate to lose at
the end of the day.”
The Vikings host Chicago this Sunday.
“And nobody will lead the charge more than Justin,” O'Connell said.
Kelly keeps making progress
The Vikings ruled center Ryan Kelly out for Sunday, after
designating him for return from injured reserve by opening his
21-day practice window on Wednesday. Though the 10-year veteran will
miss his sixth straight game since his latest concussion prompted
O'Connell to shut him down for the short term to make sure he could
fully recover, Kelly said after Friday after his third straight
practice that he felt better than he thought he was going to.
“I felt better about the decision knowing I don't have to rush
back," Kelly said. "It's certainly frustrating. You never want to go
on IR, but I think in the grand scheme of things it was the best
option to give me time to see specialists and do what I needed to
do, so I'm grateful he had the foresight to do it."
Kelly's prior history with concussions was at the heart of
O'Connell's caution.
“He's in a great place right now,” O'Connell said. “I'm really happy
with the week he had, and we'll pick that back up next week in our
preparation.”
The Vikings ruled out edge rusher Jonathan Greenard for Sunday with
a shoulder injury they're still assessing day-to-day, but tight end
Josh Oliver (foot) and safety Theo Jackson (concussion) will return
this week from their injury absences.
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