Jan 7, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) looks at the big screen during second half of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports.
Back in the building for the first time this offseason, the Minnesota Vikings have their superstar Justin Jefferson ready to go.
With Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy locked in as the quarterback options, the wideout has chemistry to work on.While we’re still over a month from training camp, superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson was in the building for mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.
Obviously, the hot topic to discuss was the well-deserved payday he just landed himself, but there is plenty to observe on the field as well. How quickly Jefferson can build a level of rapport with both the veteran Sam Darnold, and the rookie J.J. McCarthy, is something to monitor.
Coming back from a season in which he missed time due to injury, Jefferson is certainly looking to put up video game numbers and remain on the field in 2024. Now without quarterback Kirk Cousins, he will again be able to show that his talent transcends whomever is throwing him the ball. Last season he continued to produce down the stretch despite lackluster and rotating quarterback play. There’s almost now way 2024 could be worse.
Wrapping up his press conference prior to taking the field, Jefferson mentioned that he appreciated the conversation but has work to do. For a star athlete, there are few players who seem to get it more than he does. Having an exceptional personality while remaining a fierce competitor is something he shares with other young Minnesota stars. Both Anthony Edwards and Royce Lewis seem to carry themselves in a similar manner.
How Jefferson produces this season could go a long way to deciding the outcome of Minnesota’s season. Expected to bring up the rear in the NFC North, and projected to win just six games, not many are holding out hope that the Vikings can threaten the top of the division. With the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers as the cream of the crop, it will take a surprise and consistent performance each week for Kevin O’Connell’s team to shuffle the deck.
As Jefferson starts to catch passes from his two new quarterbacks, and put on a clinic as he should be expected to do during practice, the hype will only grow for this upcoming season. The Vikings signed their superstar and are keeping him in the building for the next five years. Now it’s time to see what new heights he can achieve with them.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.