Justin Jefferson Still Has Something To Prove In 2024
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
2024 has been the Offseason of JJets. It would be a big enough offseason for Justin Jefferson if all he did was sign the contract that made him not just the highest-paid wide receiver, but the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. But no, he also spent some time as one of the faces of the NFL, featuring heavily in the Netflix docuseries “Receiver.”
To paraphrase the Florida Man Walter White: First you get the stats, then you get the money, then you get the respect. Or so it would seem. But after an offseason where Jefferson should be on top of the world, he’s taken not just one, but two snubs that should make sure that there’s still a chip on the $140 million man’s shoulder.
Yesterday, the geniuses at Madden released their rankings, which had just one 99-rated wideout: Tyreek Hill. Jefferson’s 98 rating for Madden 25 is still second among all wide receivers, but the snub is still there. Despite averaging exactly one more yard per game (107.4) than he did in his All-Pro 2022 season, he still got downgraded from his spot in the “99 club,” reserved for the few players who’ve attained a perfect ranking.
The Best in The Game 🎮 #Madden24
Welcome to the #99Club @JJettas2 ✈️ pic.twitter.com/MnI2b0pKm1
— Madden NFL 25 (@EAMaddenNFL) July 17, 2023
Then on Wednesday, Jefferson was served a double dose of disrespect when the NFL Network announced him as their No. 18 player on their annual top-100 list. Maybe you can argue that a drop from 99 to 98 in Madden is insignificant, but Jefferson slipped from No. 2 last year — behind only Patrick Mahomes — to almost outside the Top-20.
Somehow, Jefferson went to unquestionably the best wideout in the game, to just slightly better than Amon-Ra St. Brown (23rd), and A.J. Brown (21st). Heck, CeeDee Lamb was 13th, five places higher than Jefferson, a take we didn’t believe existed from anyone who doesn’t have “Cowboys / Yankees / Lakers / Man U” in their Twitter bios. Hill’s name is also absent from the Top-100 list so far, which means he’ll likely be the top receiver when the NFL Network releases their top-10 tomorrow, which almost certainly will put Jefferson at third among his position.
What the heck?
Last season we all found out what the one and only thing that could slow down Jefferson was: Injuries. He injured his hamstring in Week 7 and missed seven games. When he returned in Week 14, Jefferson suffered a bruised lung that had him coughing up blood, taking him out of the game after just 14 snaps.
Playing 10 (but essentially, nine) games didn’t stop Jefferson from reaching his fourth-straight 1,000-yard season, and it came complete with the absurd Jefferson performances Vikings fans are well-accustomed to seeing. Five of his 10 games saw Jefferson rack up over 140 yards, including carving up the Detroit Lions for 12 catches, 192 yards, and a touchdown in the final week of the season. When you’re dragging Nick Mullens to a nearly-400-yard day, you’re balling. That statement should have been enough to leave a strong last impression on the rankers of the league.
Jefferson’s numbers were still elite, and his injuries weren’t concerning enough to warrant a downgrade. It’s possible for hamstring injuries to nag for years, but Jefferson doesn’t have a history of being hampered by muscle strains and tears. The bruised lung has to be written off as a freak accident, and that’s not even accounting for the fact that he’d bounce back and haul in seven catches for 84 yards the following week.
No disrespect to Hill, and only a little disrespect to Lamb, but that’s not enough to drop Jefferson’s reputation around the league that far. Not with the numbers he posted when healthy.
But apparently, enough people have forgotten about JJ to make him no longer the undisputed top receiver in the league. Sure, it’s just the opinions of two outlets, but they’re influential, and you can believe that the ultra-competitive Jefferson cares.
There’s no reason for Jefferson to believe he’s anything less than the best wide receiver in the world. His stats back it up. His fame backs it up. So does the contract he just earned this offseason. There should be nothing left for Jefferson to prove. But now, there is. Jefferson is in a spot where he’ll be determined to prove that there is no debate about his place in the NFL’s pecking order: He’s on top, and it’s not close. That can’t be anything but great news for Vikings fans.
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