Since entering the league in 2020, Justin Jefferson has been a hot topic as the league’s best wide receiver. He was regarded by many as the best player over the past five seasons, but through no fault of his own, he endured the most difficult season of his career in 2025.
Justin Jefferson will prove he’s still the best in 2026
A year ago, the Vikings’ big offseason decision was how to draft a quarterback: Keep Sam Darnold after a 14-win season or give the job to their young 2024 first-round pick. Eventually, things turned into a nightmare with JJ McCarthy starting the season at center in Minnesota. As expected, McCarthy struggled early on, and more worryingly, he missed several games due to injury. Darnold is now set to play in the Super Bowl and the Vikings fired their general manager.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) tackles Green Bay Packers safety Evan Williams (33) for a first down during a football game on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. © Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-WISCONSIN/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
The Vikings quarterback’s performance during the 2025 season has been mediocre at best and ugly at times. That resulted in Jefferson missing out on All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl selection for the first time outside of the injury-shortened 2023 season. Despite hitting career lows in receiving yards (1,048) and receiving touchdowns (2) per game, this season’s numbers are still lower than in 2023. This would still be a good season for some, but not for someone as talented as Jefferson.
advertise
WR Great says Justin Jefferson is still No. 1
The good news for Jefferson is that it’s widely believed that his declining numbers are entirely attributable to the Vikings’ quarterback woes. Jerry Rice, often considered the greatest WR of all time, recently gave Jefferson his seal of approval, calling him the best in the league. Rice said Jefferson could do it all, which made him the best.
Still, Jefferson topped 1,000 yards as the Vikings offense struggled, with performance from nearly every playmaker declining. This reinforces his distance from the quarterback even as he’s constantly receiving attention from opposing defenses. The big question now is how does Minnesota ensure he gets the help he deserves at quarterback in 2026?
advertise
make jefferson happy
Wide receiver is considered a position that creates “divas,” but that’s not the case with Jefferson. While he occasionally showed frustration, he never complained publicly or said he wanted to leave Minnesota. That will happen naturally. Cincinnati Bengals fans have been dreaming about a trade package for the Vikings star player for years, and now it looks like San Francisco 49ers fans are plotting a route for Jefferson to the Bay Area.
December 7, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) reacts to Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
I don’t think the Vikings want to trade Jefferson, at least not if he’s happy to stay. Here’s the rub: A repeat of the situation in 2025, and no one would blame Jefferson for wanting out. In six seasons in the league, Jefferson appeared in just two playoff games for Minnesota, losing both times. The Vikings paid big money to sign Jefferson to a contract for the next three seasons. If he’s going to play out this contract — or even sign another one — Minnesota has to become a truly competitive team.
advertise
Much of the Vikings roster is ready for this, but there’s also a large portion that isn’t. On the evidence of last season, nothing is more unprepared than the quarterback situation. For Jefferson to fly again to the point where we’re once again talking about him chasing his first-ever 2,000-yard season, he’s going to need better support from his team. He wants to prove in 2026 that he’s still the best, but he’ll need better support from his team to do that.
Keeping Jefferson happy is the most important thing for the Vikings this season. Otherwise, we are on the verge of “tearing it all down.”
