The atmosphere at NFL preseason games tends to be more relaxed than what star players and coaches typically experience throughout the regular season.
However, a player wearing a microphone during a game has become relatively normal around the league. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell quickly noticed Justin Jefferson wearing a microphone during Minnesota's preseason opener.
O'Connell ended up having a light-hearted and fun exchange with the superstar wide receiver on the sidelines as the Vikings took on the Las Vegas Raiders.
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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell on the sidelines of their preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at US Bank Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 24-23. (Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
“The real question is why… I watch Justin and he's never alone,” O'Connell said. “He's the energy, the one who turns things on. Why the hell does he just sit there and talk to himself? Now I know.”
O'Connell responded to Jefferson's request to say a few words to viewers watching the game.
The three-time Pro Bowler appeared on the game's broadcast for the entire third quarter. Jefferson's appearance served as another reminder that the Vikings were participating in an exhibition game and not a regular-season contest.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell talks with wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) during Minnesota Vikings training camp at TCO Performance Center on August 3, 2024 in Eagan, Minnesota. (Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images via Getty Images)
At one point, Jefferson even successfully predicted that a play would end in a touchdown. “I got 'em, I got 'em, I got 'em, I got 'em,” Jefferson said as rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw a pass to Trent Sherfield Sr.
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Jefferson, who signed a historic contract extension in June, did not play in Saturday's preseason game.
McCarthy bounced back from an ill-advised pass intercepted by Vegas starting cornerback Jack Jones with two touchdown passes against the backups, a mixed but promising preseason debut for the Vikings' future franchise quarterback in a 24-23 win over the Raiders.
JJ McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks to pass the ball in the second quarter of the preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at US Bank Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Rookie Will Reichard kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired to stop Minnesota's 10-game preseason losing streak. The Vikings last won an exhibition game on Aug. 24, 2019, at home against the Arizona Cardinals.
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“Things are going to go wrong, and it's up to your ability to respond and navigate those waters when that happens, just being able to have that goldfish memory to get back in there and have that mindset to throw it,” McCarthy said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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