Jefferson and the Patriots: A Match Made in Heaven?

Justin Jefferson is arguably one of the best and most talented players we have ever seen in the NFL, and could go down in history as one of the best receivers ever to play the game, however his talents will never be recognised enough if he stays in Minnesota. Throughout his short NFL career so far, JJ has never really had a standout QB, but has always made it work, but this season could be the final straw, and he is crying out for an elite QB to bring out the best in him.

The Vikings have had a season they will want to forget this year, and will likely be in the bottom five if things carry on spiralling on a downwards trajectory. Last year their season was salvaged following first round pick JJ McCarthy’s achilles injury by Sam Darnold, and in his career redemption season, he gave the Vikings a season they would have been very excited to build on. However, only a couple of games into the JJ McCarthy era, fans already want to turn the opposite way, and the talent they have just isn’t being utilised by the rookie QB.

One area in particular which hasn’t sparked during the new look Vikings is McCarthy’s chemistry with Justin Jefferson. JJ has had more than his fair share of different QB’s during his NFL career so fast, and it is fair to say that his chemistry with Sam Darnold during that very short window was one of the best connections he has had with a QB, and that just isn’t the case for McCarthy. For their rookie QB, there was no better situation he could've been put into in terms of receiving help, but he hasn’t used what JJ offers, and whether that is enough to drive Jefferson out of Minnesota, it is more realistic than people think.

The discourse around JJ leaving has only risen over the last few weeks, and some of the situations he has been placed in make too much sense than Minnesotans may like to admit. One in theory which ticks every box in particular is the New England Patriots. They have their franchise QB in Drake Maye, they have the head coach, and they have a young and budding team who look like a credible Super Bowl contender this year, and it is only getting started. 

Bearing in mind that Drake Maye has been so good with little receiver help, making a splash for a Justin Jefferson like player is something who not only elevates him, but the Pats as a team, making them into a fiend on the field, and unlocking abilities that we have never seen out of Drake Maye. In his current situation, it looks unrealistic, his time in Minnesota will likely continue into a new era, and Jefferson will have to deal with the conveyor belt of QB;’s who come in and out, but never rule out a move, and for the Patriots, it's a card they should keep close to their chest.