If there is one image or video to sum up the Minnesota Vikings’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday it would be Justin Jefferson sitting alone on the bench after the final whistle sounded. He looked miserable.
Vikings in one score games
2022: 11-0
2023: 0-1 pic.twitter.com/BNgs8D6k83— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 10, 2023
CBS cameras captured the vulnerable moment, leaving viewers left to wonder what was going through the superstar wide receiver’s mind. Was it his contract? Was it the loss? Was it his two catches for a measly 12 yards in the second half after he torched the Bucs for 138 yards on seven catches in the first half? Was it all of the above?
Asked after the game by ESPN’s Kevin Seifert if his contract going unresolved despite extensive talks has changed his feelings about the franchise, he allegedly said, “Not really.”
“I have the same mindset as I had before,” he said, according to Seifert. “At the end of the day, all I can do is play football. And that’s what I continue to do. I know my team. My team doesn’t care about the contract, you know? And I don’t either. I just want to be here for my teammates, play for my teammates and of course get these wins.”
The Vikings posted 3 minutes, 22 seconds of Jefferson’s postgame media session but Seifert’s question isn’t included. It’s unclear if Seifert got to Jefferson before the media huddle or if the question and answer were simply not included in what the Vikings uploaded online.
Jefferson was a force in the first half only to go silent along with the entire offense in the second half. Minnesota had the ball for only 10 minutes and three possessions in the final 30 minutes, with the last two drives ending after three plays and punts.
Jefferson clearly wants to win. If the Vikings don’t win – and they’re in serious danger of starting 0-2 because they play at Philly on Thursday night – will the lack of long-term security from the Vikings make the situation more uncomfortable than Jefferson looked on the bench after the 20-17 loss to the Bucs?
The Vikings and Jefferson may be entering rough waters and it will test their resolve.
