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The Minnesota Vikings are having a relatively disastrous season on the heels of a 14-win campaign, but while the primary figures within the organization are all exhausted with the situation to a degree, they aren’t tone deaf about the complaints of their compatriots.
Quarterback JJ McCarthy gave voice to the frustrations of Justin Jefferson, as trade rumors involving the superstar wide receiver have bubbled up in recent days and weeks.
“Obviously it’s frustrating. Obviously he’s the greatest in the world and going through tough times,” McCarthy said. “But the way he’s responded, acted towards me and how he wears that C on his chest – it’s something amazing. It just amplifies his ability as a player.”
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Jefferson chose not to speak to media members following his team’s 26-0 road loss against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 13, during which undrafted rookie Max Brosmer filled in for McCarthy and threw four interceptions. Jefferson finished that outing with a career-worst four receiving yards on just two catches and is on pace for the worst non-injury season of his NFL career.
His silence, coupled with visible frustration on the sidelines across multiple weeks, led to trade talk that grew louder with each anemic offensive performance.
“It’s hard to imagine that they would trade Justin Jefferson, but then again, a year ago, I would have said it’s hard to imagine the Dallas Cowboys would have traded Micah Parsons, and they did,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on the Wednesday, December 3 version of “Get Up.”
No Jefferson trade could take place until next March at the start of the new league year, as the deadline for such moves during this season passed in early November.
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