Oct 30, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates his catch against the Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
Justin Jefferson is the NFL’s reigning Offensive Player of the Year, the face of the Minnesota Vikings franchise, and has tabulated more receiving than any human in history through a player’s first three NFL seasons.
The accolades are relentless.
And Jefferson’s achievement wallet got even fatter to start the week, as the famed EA Sports game Madden dropped the young wideout into its ’99 Club.’
In a nutshell, the Madden 99 score in this year’s edition of the game indicates he is the best a player can be at his position, and the score cannot get higher. Per the sports gaming world, Jefferson is the cream of the crop.
NFL.com’s Nick Shook explained the mark Monday, “The Vikings receiver was announced as the first member of MaddenNFL 24’s ’99 Club’ on Monday. Jefferson’s entry into the prestigious group — which recognizes the NFL’s best by giving them the highest rating possible in the officially licensed video game — is his first in his career.”
Jefferson’s inclusion in the ‘club’ was the first 99 announcement of the young season, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback + 2022 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes is expected to fetch the perfect score, as well.
“Jefferson’s inclusion in the ’99 Club’ also marks a significant moment in Vikings history. With his 99 overall rating in Madden 24, Jefferson becomes the highest-rated Vikings receiver ever, surpassing Randy Moss’ 98 overall rating in past iterations of Madden,” Shook added.
While video games are not of the utmost importance in the grand scheme of football, Jefferson surpassing Moss’ best-ever single-season rating is the ultimate token of respect. Few Vikings fans would surmise that Jefferson is a more talented product than Moss — at least not yet — but EA Sports has crossed that bridge through implication.
Jefferson is expected to extend his contract with the Vikings this summer, likely committing until the end of the 2027 or 2028 season. The deal will likely set the market for all wide receivers and make Jefferson the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history.
One month ago, Jefferson told reporters at minicamp, “I love being around the guys. I love being around the team. We want to win the Super Bowl this year.”
He also affirmed his attendance at Vikings training camp — with or without a new contract — when the event begins next week. That is noteworthy because, in theory, he could’ve played hardball with Minnesota’s front office in netting the extension before setting foot onto a practice field. But according to Jefferson, no such drama is necessary.
Four players notched a 99 rating in last year’s installment of the Madden franchise:
Jefferson turned 24 last month.
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,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.