ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith discussed one of the most popular topics in the NFL in recent weeks: the Minnesota Vikings. Smith made a strong statement about the team’s current state on Thursday’s edition of “First Take.”
More specifically, he talked about how quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s struggles are affecting Jefferson’s game. Smith went on to say that Jefferson could ask for a trade and he wouldn’t be mad at him.
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“I wouldn’t blame Justin Jefferson if he asked to be traded,” Smith said. “I’m disgusted with the Minnesota Vikings. (Kwesi) Adofo-Mensah, the general manager for the Minnesota Vikings. Brothers in an executive position, I root for them, because we don’t see that too often. I’m rooting for the brother, but him and Kevin O’Connell made a joint decision and they miscalculated.”
Smith explained that with Sam Darnold hitting free agency and getting a big payment, the Vikings could have used the type of money Darnold signed for with the Seattle Seahawks on different positions. He then insisted they needed to put Jefferson in a position to shine.
“This is Justin Jefferson, y’all. This is an all-world receiver,” Smith added. “The first five years of his NFL career, we weren’t talking about him being great, we were talking legacy. We were talking about whether or not he was going to be in the conversation with the Jerry Rices and the Randy Mosses and others in the world. That’s the level of greatness we’re talking about. What you don’t do to somebody like that is that you don’t take away their damn quarterback for a rookie that is unproven.”
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Jefferson was visibly frustrated during the Vikings’ 23-6 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. McCarthy had one of his worst performances this season, finishing 12 of 19 for 87 yards with two interceptions and five sacks.
The wide receiver remains confident that McCarthy will figure it out and succeed once his learning process is complete.
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“So just a tough transition for him,” Jefferson said on Wednesday. “But I feel like just him learning these past couple games, and of course learning [during] the stretch of this season, I feel like he’s going to bounce back in a different way than everybody else is going to think so.”
The Vikings will clash against Darnold and the Seahawks on Sunday, but McCarthy (concussion) won’t be available this time.
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