Stephen A. Smith Makes Weird Comment about Justin Jefferson

Stephen A. Smith Makes Weird Comment about Justin Jefferson
Stephen A. Smith

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson set an NFL record for a player’s first two seasons, recording 3,016 receiving yards in 2020 and 2021. No other player in NFL history has tallied more receiving yards in his first two seasons.

And according to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Jefferson could’ve grabbed even more receptions – if it was just a little hotter outside the confines of U.S. Bank Stadium.

Indeed, the Vikings stadium is enclosed and temperature-controlled, but Smith believes the sheer vibes of warm weather translate to increased production. Smith said this week on his show, First Take:

“How in the hell do you feel about playing in Minnesota? It’s cold there. It’s just too damn cold. It’s so cold. Hey, listen man, I know ya’ll are playing indoors, but it’s just so damn cold out there you’ve got to thaw out. You had 1,600 [receiving yards], but if you were playing in someplace like LA or Miami, I think you’d be a 2,000-yard receiver, for crying out loud.”

– Stephen A. Smith | ESPN’s First Take

Your guess is as good as ours on why Jefferson would be more effective outdoor in warm weather than indoor in warm weather. Perhaps it’s because Jefferson’s theoretical foes in the NFC West, if he played for the Rams, would be the Cardinals, 49ers, and Seahawks? The weather is typically friendly for three away games per season. On the whole, though, Jefferson doesn’t struggle at Green Bay, Chicago, or Detroit. Plus, the Lions play indoors, so Smith’s theory only really applies to the Packers and Bears away games.

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Randy Moss, who ranks fourth all-time in receiving yards, and Cris Carter (the man with the 12th-most yards ever) didn’t have qualms with the Vikings cold-weather-outside and indoor stadium combination. To Smith’s credit, though, the top three wide receivers ever per yards are Jerry Rice, Larry Fitzgerald, and Terrell Owens – men who spent the bulk of their careers in the NFC West.

Jefferson is committed to the Vikings for three more seasons, creating a window for the franchise to win and appease his competitive nature. So far in Minnesota, Jefferson’s win-loss with the team is 15-18, and that is not a good record to keep the high-flying pass-catcher enthusiastic about staying beyond 2024. Stefon Diggs can tell you all about it.

Conversely, Minnesota did uproot the organization last month. The general manager and head coach were fired, ushering in an era of change. If general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah builds the team correctly amid the next couple of seasons, maybe Jefferson will stay and defy Smith’s hypothesis.

After all, if players produce better in warm cities, then the Vikings are habitually disadvantaged.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).



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