EAGAN, Minn. — It took until the 17th game of 2025, but Justin Jefferson crossed the 1,000-yard mark for the sixth time in as many seasons.
Jefferson finished with a team-high 1,048 yards on 84 catches, but he’d be the first to tell you his production and that of other Vikings receives and tight ends as pass catchers is not where they want the standard to be set.
That feeling is a byproduct of Jefferson setting the bar so high — among his records are the most receptions and receiving yards by an NFL player through six seasons — and a few factors that adversely affected Minnesota’s passing game, resulting in a failure to fully launch or consistently produce.
Lack of continuity at quarterback and absence of prior in-game experience with the crew, along with injuries on the offensive line that resulted in 26 combinations of offensive linemen, affected the receivers and tight ends, but those groups totaled as many drops as touchdown catches (16) in 2025.
The season also seemed stuck on repeat when it came to “worst possible outcome” of a play happening. Instead of a tip or overthrow hitting the turf, the ball too often found the hands of a defender.
And it seemed like many things served as a force multiplier. An off-target pass in one instance was followed or preceded by a drop, with each undesirable outcome making the next feel worse.
The Vikings demonstrated examples of growth in the passing game by the season’s end, and they want to build on that to create momentum in 2026.