Howie: An open letter to Justin Jefferson; Lake Superior Fishing Report

Dear Justin,

We don’t say this lightly, and we never thought we’d have to. But here it is:

If you leave — if you eventually ask for a trade, if you move on in a year or two to chase something real, something earned — we’ll understand.

We won’t burn your jersey. We won’t call you disloyal. We won’t scream into a microphone like this is some personal betrayal.

Because it’s not.

It’s survival.

You’ve given Minnesota everything. Since the moment you hit the field, you’ve elevated this franchise from mid-tier mediocrity to national relevance. You’ve broken records, embarrassed defensive coordinators, and hauled in footballs thrown to zip codes no quarterback had any business aiming at.

You’ve played through double coverage. Triple coverage. Wild quarterback instability. Injuries. A carousel of offensive lines. You’ve been the guy — while the guys around you have changed like seasons.

You signed the extension, did the media tour, smiled for the cameras. And in return? They handed you a rookie.

Not just any rookie — a kid who missed most of his first year and now enters a broken quarterback room with a weight no one his age should carry. It’s not McCarthy’s fault. He’s doing his best. But let’s not pretend this is about “development” or “the future.”

This was about saving money.

The Wilfs — and let’s just call it like it is — chose not to invest in your prime. They picked the cheaper path, then wrapped it in branding and buzzwords and Kevin O’Connell’s “quarterback lab” fantasy. You’re now the face of a franchise that seems more focused on optics than outcome.

And you don’t deserve that.

You deserve a front office that builds around you like you’re a once-in-a-generation cornerstone — because you are. You deserve an ownership group that chases Super Bowls with urgency, not spreadsheets. You deserve a quarterback who can hit you in stride in December, not just in practice highlights.

You deserve honesty. And right now, this franchise isn’t being honest — not with you, not with the fans, not with itself.

So if next year comes around, and the offense is still stuck in neutral, and the excuses start stacking up, and you finally decide you’ve had enough?

We won’t blame you.

We’ll be angry — not at you, but at the people who wasted your window. The people who sold hope instead of building something worthy of your talent. The people who had the guy and decided to play small.

Just promise us this, if it happens:

Don’t forget how much we loved watching you here.

Don’t forget that it mattered — to us, even when it stopped mattering to them.

And when you do go chase that ring — somewhere that actually tries — we’ll be watching. Still loyal. Still heartbroken. Still waiting for this franchise to finally wake up.

We’ll miss you, Justin.

But if you leave?

We get it.

And we’ll still be cheering.

— Minnesota

Lake Superior Fishing Report

DULUTH — Anglers along Minnesota’s North Shore experienced a week of mixed results on Lake Superior, as weather volatility, fluctuating water temperatures, and sediment-filled runoff from heavy rains complicated the fishing picture.

Lower Shore: Duluth to Two Harbors

Surface temperatures ranged widely—from the low 50s to the upper 60s—as severe storms, rain, and erratic air temps rolled through the region. Despite the changing conditions, lake trout fishing remained productive, with most success reported 50 to 90 feet down. Anglers trolling spoons or flasher-fly rigs in green, purple, or orange found steady action. The majority of trout landed measured between 18 and 24 inches.

Coho salmon continued to provide a solid secondary catch, typically ranging from 16 to 20 inches. Chinook salmon were caught in lower numbers but remained present across all reporting stations.

Heavy rainfall also triggered high sediment loads in many tributaries, creating large plumes and floating debris at river mouths. Boaters are urged to exercise caution, as logs and submerged hazards can lurk just beneath the surface.

Upper Shore: Twin Points to Hovland

Surface temperatures in the upper stretch of shoreline held between the low 50s and low 60s, with warmth extending as deep as 50 feet. Lake trout were scattered and tough to pattern this week, with some found unusually high in the water column or in shallow zones far from shore.

Few salmon were reported from the northern stations. The Silver Bay Salmon Classic saw limited numbers but did post qualifying catches of both Coho and Chinook.

Shore anglers in Grand Marais reported fair success on brook trout, along with a handful of small lake trout.

Catch-and-Release Raises Mortality Concerns

As surface water temperatures climb above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, anglers are being reminded of the high post-release mortality rate for lake trout.

Research by Michigan DNR fisheries biologist Shawn Sitar found that up to 43 percent of lake trout released in warm surface conditions may not survive. The study, conducted on Lake Superior and published in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management, emphasizes the importance of mindful harvest practices during summer.

Officials recommend avoiding excessive catch-and-release fishing when water temps are elevated. Anglers are encouraged to retain their legal limit and conclude their trip, as repeated releases may inadvertently lead to higher fish mortality than selective harvesting.