The most recent example of Justin Jefferson handling himself with class amid a frustrating campaign came on Thursday afternoon at TCO Performance Center.
Asked about some of his goals for the rest of this season, the Vikings’ receiver didn’t bring up any individual accolades, choosing instead to highlight the importance of Minnesota stacking wins on top of each other.
Technically, the Vikings still have a chance to make the playoffs, even if the odds of it happening are incredibly slim.
“It’s all about us sticking together as a team,” Jefferson said. “Not really listening to the outside noise.”
Though he generally has avoided questions about his own statistics amid the offensive struggles that have plagued Vikings this season, he finally took the bait when the topic of him reaching 1,000 yards was brought up.
Asked if he still cared about that milestone, the 26-year-old face of the franchise made himself very clear.
“Yeah for sure,” Jefferson said. “That’s always a goal.”
It’s something he has done in every season since the Vikings selected him in the first round of the 2020 draft. His current streak of five consecutive seasons reaching 1,000 yards to start his career is part of an unprecedented trajectory that already has him being compared to some of the best receivers to ever do it.
It’s never been a matter of if he was going to reach quadruple digits. It’s always been a matter of when he was going to reach quadruple digits. The only time he even flirted with missing the mark came when a strained hamstring limited him to 10 games in 2023.
That’s why the next month could get interesting with Jefferson currently on pace for the lowest output of his career. He has recorded 64 receptions for 810 yards with games against the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers remaining.
It’s reasonable to wonder if Jefferson gets there with how much his production has dipped with J.J. McCarthy throwing him the ball.
Never mind that Jefferson has been productive with almost everybody that has lined up under center since he arrived. There’s been a significant drop off when McCarthy is starting, as Jefferson is only averaging 47 yards per game.
“I’ve had to learn how to be patient,” Jefferson said. “It’s tough. You want to be a big part of the offense. Sometimes I’ve got to sacrifice that to be a leader and to be a person that has that energy even though it might not be going the best.”
As he thought about what it was going to take to reach 1,000 yards, Jefferson acknowledged that it could come down to a few plays here and there.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a screen, a hitch or a go,” Jefferson said. “As soon as that ball is up in the air, I’ve got to make the most of my opportunities, because I don’t really get too many of them.”
If Jefferson is able to reach quadruple digits again, he would tie a franchise record set by Randy Moss for the most consecutive seasons reaching 1,000 yards to start his career.
“To be able to still overcome all of that and get 1,000 yards is something that a lot of people wouldn’t be able to do,” Jefferson said. “We’re pretty close. There’s definitely more work to be done. Hopefully this is a breakout game for me.”
It would go a long way in him keeping his current streak alive.
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