J.J. McCarthy is entering the second year of his career and is the incumbent starter for the Vikings in 2025. Justin Jefferson said he’s gotten to know McCarthy and is making sure to build a good connection with the quarterback.
“I got to know him a lot last year, but of course him being my quarterback this year, being able to talk to him or just pick his brain a little bit more, see what he likes, what he doesn’t like, how he throws the ball, all that is a big factor into a quarterback,” Jefferson said, via Rob Kleifield of the team’s site. “So just trying to learn every bit that I can, even off the field – just trying to chop it up and make sure we are well connected.”
As for Minnesota’s defensive line, the Vikings bolstered the group with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave this offseason. DT Harrison Phillips said seeing both players brought into the fold has been a big confidence boost.
“It’s exciting when you see the moves that they made and you see the drive from the top down, from our ownership, to our head coach, to our GM, to our coaching staff,” Phillips said. “The push that they’re showing, and confidence in us, makes us work even harder in the offseason, and makes us want to make our coaches and our organization, and fans, proud as well. You’d hate to be the one loose chain on the link. Our entire team feels that same way.”