Justin Jefferson, born on June 16, 1999, is a standout wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL. He attended LSU, where he helped the Tigers win the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship. Despite being ranked as a low three-star prospect coming out of Destrehan High School in Louisiana, Jefferson's commitment to LSU marked the beginning of a remarkable journey.
After a quiet freshman year, he became LSU's leading receiver in 2018 and was a key part of their 2019 championship season, including a historic performance in the College Football Playoff Semifinals where he caught four touchdowns in the first half. Declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft, he was selected in the first round by the Vikings, where he quickly became one of the league's top receivers, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year award.
Also Read: Justin Jefferson Contract
Which team does Justin Jefferson play for?
Justin Jefferson is playing for the Minnesota Vikings as of 2024. He was part of the 2020 NFL Draft. Jefferson was the fifth wide receiver to get selected in the class as he was taken by the Minnesota Vikings with the twenty second overall pick. The Vikings had acquired this pick after a blockbuster trade which involved one of their best wide receivers Stefon Diggs being traded to the Buffalo Bills.
Some experts had seen him going higher up in the draft with respect to the wide receivers position, but eventually he fell behind his peers like Henry Ruggs III, Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, and Jalen Reagor. Currently Jefferson is under a five year rookie contract with the Vikings after the franchise exercised his fifth year option.
Justin Jefferson in Minnesota
Jefferson started his rookie year in 2020 and immediately got off the blocks. Within his first few games, he already had back to back 100 yard receptions becoming only the fifth rookie wide receiver in franchise history to do so. Continuing to excel and improve on the field, he even broke the Vikings’ rookie record set by the legendary Randy Moss of 69 receptions in his first year. The record had stood for nearly 25 years.
His second year with the team was much of the same but he started all 17 games and had more touches. Getting increased opportunities, Jefferson quickly made the most of this and continued to dominate defenders as per his will. In doing so, he also broke Odell Bekham Jr.'s record of most receiving yards by a player in his first two seasons.
Jefferson’s best year yet has been the 2022 season when he lit up the league. He was instrumental in the Vikings winning the NFC North with a 14-3 record along with quarterback Kirk Cousins. The duo have formed an astounding connection to lead the offense. At the end of the regular season, he led the league in both receptions with 128 and receiving yards with 1,809 to his name. Jefferson capped off his best year by winning the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year Award.
In 2024, Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings agreed to a historic 4 year, $140 million contract extension that includes $110M guaranteed for practical purposes, and $88.7M fully guaranteed at signing with an annual average salary of $35M.
FAQs
A. Justin Jefferson was drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2020 NFL Draft.
A. Justin Jefferson is not the tallest receiver in the league. He stands at 6 feet 1 inch.
A. Justin Jefferson is almost a complete package as a wide receiver. He has good speed, amazing awareness of space, excellent hands and athleticism. He can go for the deep ball with just as much ease as a cut back for medium gain.
A. Jefferson will also receive a signing bonus of $88.743 million, the highest for a non-quarterback in league history from his four-year extension contract with the Vikings.
A. Prior to joining the NFL, Justin Jefferson was a wide receiver at Louisiana State University.
