It hasn’t been a pretty start to the season for Minnesota Vikings superstar Justin Jefferson.
Through two weeks, Jefferson has just seven receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown — the fewest receptions and yards to start a season since his rookie year, when he didn’t start until Week 3.
J.J. McCarthy‘s development was going to be a process, and missing starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw proved to be a back-breaking loss for the team’s pass protection. The offense has struggled, 31st in total yards and 32nd in expected points added.
There’s no certainty that the offense will look improved with Carson Wentz filling in for McCarthy (out with a high ankle sprain).
However, the Vikings have been warned.
Another failure to launch offensively in a Week 3 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals could be grounds for frustration to boil over for Jefferson, who could grow envious of former college teammate Ja’Marr Chase.
“There is obviously a competitiveness between these two guys, and Justin handles things as well as one of his stature could. But if we go through this game and Ja’Marr Chase has 10 catches and the Bengals win, and Justin has two catches and the Vikings lose, he is going to be infuriated,” The Athletic’s Alec Lewis said on KFAN-FM 100.3. “You just can’t have another week where it is as disjointed as it’s been offensively, specifically for a guy like Justin, who his standard is to be in the Hall of Fame, and so everybody has to come along — he pulls people to that standard.”
Vikings Advised to Let Justin Jefferson Duel Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase
In a battle of backup quarterbacks, the Vikings would be wise to find ways to get the ball in Jefferson’s hands early and often — because that’s what the Bengals have done with Chase.
Chase is coming off a 165-yard game where he caught 14 of 16 targets from a combination of Jake Browning and Joe Burrow — evidence that no matter who is throwing the ball for the Bengals, Chase is his offense’s engine. He led all receivers in a 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars that saw Burrow exit with a turf toe injury in the first half.
Lewis’ plea to the Viking is to simply offer that same treatment in a week where there are many questions offensively.
It is incumbent on Kevin O’Connell, Carson Wentz and this offense to get the ball to Justin Jefferson in space and to let him work,” Lewis added.
Ja’Marr Chase Emerges as Vikings’ Justin Jefferson’s Greatest Antagonist
While there are surely fond memories of winning a national championship together at LSU, Chase and Jefferson have grown apart over the years as the two receivers are at the heart of the best receiver in the NFL debate.
“We’re older, we don’t really have much to talk about now,” Chase said this week, leading up to the game.
However, that hasn’t stopped Chase from wanting to poke fun at Jefferson, whom he may antagonize on Sunday.
Visiting U.S. Bank Stadium for the first time in his career, Chase was asked by Cincinnati media if he would be allowed to do Jefferson’s signature celebration, “the Griddy,” in his home stadium.
He admitted he would only do it if it was to menace Jefferson.
“I mean, if he doesn’t want me to do it, I wanna do it,” Chase said. “If he doesn’t want me to do it, then I’m gonna do it, purposely. I wanna piss him off.”
Vikings, Carson Wentz Get Concerning Justin Jefferson Warning Before Bengals