Justin Jefferson Said Something in July — and Backed It Up.
Dustin Baker
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Seven months ago, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson told Complex’s Kameron Hay, “I’ll say after this year, I’ll be the best receiver in the NFL.”
The 23-year-old delivered in 2022.
“I definitely have to give it to Davante Adams as of now, him being so crazy and dynamic on the field. His route running is crazy, so I definitely have to give it to him right now, but I’m pretty sure after this year, it’s going to be me,” Jefferson added back in July.
Justin Jefferson Said Something in July — and Backed It Up.
In Lil’ Kim’s 2003 song Magic Stick, rapper 50 Cent sang, “I talk a lot of sh-t cause I can back it up,” and that’s precisely what Jefferson did this season. The Vikings wideout was selected for NFL 1st-Team All-Pro honors on Friday — a unanimous decision by voters. The only other unanimous pick this cycle was Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, impressive company for Jefferson.
In doing so, Jefferson lapped Adams — just like he promised — and Adams even produced another successful season. Adams tallied 1,516 receiving yards and a mega 14 touchdowns, while Jefferson totaled 1,819 yards and 9 total scores. Of course, the touchdown mark far outshines Jefferson’s figure, but the Vikings finished 2022 with a 13-4 record to the Las Vegas Raiders’ sad 6-11. Winning in the NFL affords all the kudos, and at least for a year, Jefferson is now the top dog.
Jefferson is also expected to win Offensive Player of the Year in the coming weeks, another honor on his resume, thanks to surviving a marvelous season from Tyreek Hill in Miami. The two were neck and neck for the award for most of the regular season, but Hill’s sizzle faded when Miami lost five of its last six games. Again, winning means a lot for individual awards — for some reason.
Next for Jefferson? Well, he failed to accrue 2,000 receiving yards, a goal that seemed achievable until the season’s final week. He also didn’t quite grab the most receiving yards in a single season mantle from Calvin Johnson, falling 146 yards short. But Jefferson will participate in a postseason game this weekend — unlike aforementioned peers Adams and Hill — and will look to make a splash in his first playoff experience. Jefferson finished Weeks 17 and 18 rather quietly for his lofty standards and could be sitting on a monster game at U.S. Bank Stadium this Sunday versus the New York Giants.
After getting word of the unanimous All-Pro recognition Friday, Jefferson told Chris Tomasson for the Pioneer Press, “It’s unbelievable that I got that many votes and people see me as the best receiver in the league. It goes to show the type of effect that I had on the league this year.”
He added, “There’s a lot more that I need to accomplish to reach that main goal that I want to do, which, of course, is being in the Hall of Fame. I got to be consistent with it. Just carry on throughout my whole career being at the top of the league.”
Jefferson told the masses he’d be considered the best wideout in football when the season capped, and badda bing, All-Pro voters agreed.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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