In professional sports, betting on yourself is essential to your financial success, personal success, and league-wide dominance. For Vikings superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson, betting on himself is nothing new, and this staggering trend will only continue into his third season.
The former two-star recruit wants the receiver crown, and in his eyes only a few receivers ahead of him stand in his way. Jefferson touched on many things but centered mainly on his quick ascension to stardom in the NFL and his plans to build on his almost-instant success.
First, talking about his immediate impact on the Vikings and the far-and-in-between kind of success he’s seen in his first two NFL seasons.
Justin Jefferson is special #Skol pic.twitter.com/yU0ZsnzhnU
— Rick Sosa (@sosarick) July 6, 2022
“I’m just trying to be up with those greats, trying to be next to them in the Hall of Fame,” Jefferson said to Complex Sports in an interview published this week. “I didn’t expect to be on top of the league this soon, but all of the hard work I’ve done and all of the things that I’ve sacrificed in my career and in my life to make myself this type of player, it’s definitely a blessing to have all of these things come to me so soon.”
For wanting to “be up with those greats,” he’s off to an incredible start, tallying 196 receptions for 3,016 yards, with 17 touchdowns in just two seasons. Those 3,016 yards are the most reached by a wide receiver in two seasons.
Though he is already doing the stuff of legends, the former LSU Tiger knows he still has a lot left to accomplish, including chasing the crown and the title as the league’s best wide receiver.
Justin Jefferson 😤✅😩 pic.twitter.com/nImtQlElAk
— Kedz (@Kedz87598318) July 13, 2022
Right now, there is some highly stiff competition with the likes of former college teammate Ja’marr Chase, who broke Jefferson’s rookie record in the NFL. Cooper Kupp, who just won the triple crown, is leading the league in receptions, yards, and receiving touchdowns while also capturing a Super Bowl ring and Super Bowl MVP honors to top off his historic season.
On top of those two, there is Davante Adams, who recently was traded from the Green Bay Packers to the Las Vegas Raiders and signed a five year/$140 million deal with them afterward.
According to Jefferson, Adams is the best receiver in the league right now, though Jefferson also believes that that title will be short-lived.
Kirk Cousins is such a horrible QB that Justin Jefferson has broken all kinds of records in a run first offense, with a marginal OL and now Jefferson is the top fantasy WR in the NFL.. what a horrendous QB Cousins must be #Skol pic.twitter.com/fhBr8exeiI
— Rick Sosa (@sosarick) July 12, 2022
“I’ll say after this year I’ll be the best receiver in the NFL. I definitely have to give it to Davante Adams as of now, him being so crazy and dynamic on the field. His route running is crazy, so I definitely have to give it to him right now, but I’m pretty sure after this year it’s going to be me.” Jefferson continued.
While this may be a selfish and personal goal for a team-oriented game, Jefferson is a proven winner, having won a national championship at LSU. But some players, especially skill position players, like to have personal challenges to help them stay competitive and elevate their game to unforeseen heights.
Challenging himself to be the best receiver in the league will only help the Minnesota Vikings get better, as he is a focal point of their offense and can win significant games for them. With this chip on Jefferson’s shoulder, who knows how far he can take this Vikings team.
