Vikings' Justin Jefferson: This is one of 'most difficult seasons' - ESPN

EAGAN, Minn. — With his team mired in a 4-8 record, Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson is facing yet another year without making a playoff run.

That realization sunk in during Sunday's 26-0 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, as Jefferson spent part of the fourth quarter sitting despondently on a water cooler and then skipping his postgame news conference for the first time in his career.

Speaking Thursday to local reporters, Jefferson said that «the frustration and the emotions definitely were high after the game,» but he stopped well short of indicating that he is concerned about the team's long-term direction. Amid six starts from second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy and one from rookie Max Brosmer, Jefferson is set to finish his sixth season without a playoff win. But he demurred Thursday when asked whether he is worried that the Vikings are wasting the prime of his career.

«No, I wouldn't say wasted,» Jefferson said. «Obviously it's a difficult season. It's probably one of the most difficult seasons just off of the circumstances, having a young quarterback, having a different team, having young players on the team. So it's just one of those years. Not every year is going to be a top-tier year for me. It's really a part of the game, so it's just all on me to expect a lot from these guys and to improve on anything that we need to improve on as an offense.»

Jefferson entered the season with an average of 96.5 receiving yards per game in his career, the highest in NFL history among qualified players. But in his seven games with McCarthy and Brosmer, he has averaged 46 yards. Overall this season, he ranks No. 12 in the NFL in receptions (60) and receiving yards (799), while catching only two touchdowns. He'll need