Vikings’ Justin Jefferson makes history during contest vs. 49ers

Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson joined an elite group of NFL receivers with his performance Sunday.

Sep 15, 2024 at 3:43 PM ET

Maybe the 49ers should have tried harder to getMinnesota Vikings wide receiverJustin Jefferson. Then he wouldn’t have been ableto burn them for a 97-yard score. And maybe Jefferson could have made history for a different team during Minnesota’s 23-17 win versus the 49ers.

Jefferson turned in a spectacular performance Sunday, putting him in rare NFL company for the start of a career. At halftime Jefferson totaled four catches for 133 yards as the Vikings built a 13-7 lead. With that effort, Jefferson topped 400 career catches and 6,000 career yards.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson one of the best

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates his touchdown reception during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. — Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

In his 62nd career game, Jefferson found the rare company. Reaching 6,000 yards in 62 games is an accomplishment only Lance Alworth has achieved before before. Alworth also reached 6,000 career yards in his 62nd game, in 1967, while playing for the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League. Alworth is considered as the AFL’s best-ever receiver and one of the top receivers in the history of pro football.

Two receivers reached 400 catches in less than 62 games. Former New Orleans Saints standout Michael Thomas got there in just 56 games while former New York Giants’ star Odell Beckham topped the mark in 61 games.

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The Vikings grabbed Jefferson in the first round of 2020 NFL Draft. He became an immediate star with 88 catches for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie. The next season he added 108 catches for 1,616 yards with 10 more scores.

Jefferson burst to a new level 2022. He had 128 catches for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns. Jefferson trailed off a little last year because of injuries, playing only 10 games with 68 catches for 1,074 yards and five scores.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said he hasplenty of admiration for Jefferson, according to nfl.com.

“Justin knows the love and admiration that I have for him,” O’Connell said, during the team’s contract negotiations with Jefferson. “And he knows he's such a big part of what we do around here. That's on the field, that's off the field, (he) brings such a great energy to our building every single day. And he's the ultra-competitor as far as when he steps between the white lines. Very few people are able to do the things that he's able to do, but it's how he goes about his business, how he works, how he pushes his teammates to get better. Justin Jefferson is a huge part of this organization.”

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