Wide receiver Justin Jefferson has been in the NFL since 2020, making this his seventh season in the league. The former No. 22 overall pick has carved out quite the successful NFL career in the time since.
That is not to say that there have not been bumps in the road since. The 2025 season was a tough one for not only Jefferson but the Vikings’ offense as a whole. They scored just 20.2 points per game, 26th in the league.
On Thursday, Jefferson was asked if he still believes himself the best receiver in the NFL even after a down year. Michael Silver of The Athletic reported his answer in a recent article for the website: “Not yet. But they will (know) after this year —I’ll tell you that.”
More on JeffersonJan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) warms up prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)The 27-year-old has played in 93% of all Vikings games since 2020, showcasing some admirable durability. For his career, he has posted 579 receptions, 8,480 yards and 42 touchdowns.
Jefferson’s 2025 season was considered a disappointment, and even still the veteran still eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards on 12.5 yards per reception. Regardless, he still has a good deal to prove to fans everywhere.
Jefferson used to be viewed as a top three receiver in the NFL at minimum, however that ranking seems to be slipping in a lot of people’s minds. He believes he will positively change that opinion by season’s end.
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Vikings’ offensive outlook for 2026Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) makes a catch against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Coming into 2026, the team has at least found a temporary solution to their quarterback problem. J.J. McCarthy, after a poor 2025 season, has been replaced in that role by longtime Arizona Cardinal Kyler Murray.
Murray, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft, spent seven seasons in the desert to some pronounced ups and downs. During his final season with Arizona he started only five games, producing a 47.2 QB rating.
Jefferson will be the best receiver Murray has played with in some time, arguably ever. That tandem will be fun to watch on Sundays. The Vikings also have deep threat Jordan Addison and new free agent signing Jauan Jenning in the receiver room.
They will be primed to compete in what is shaping up to be a hyper-competitive NFC North. All four teams have a good shot at the playoffs.
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