The Minnesota Vikings‘ offensive outlook changed dramatically when they selected Justin Jefferson with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Jefferson has either been the best or one of the best receivers in the league since he was drafted, a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
He’s had to navigate a lot of quarterback changes throughout his young career, but has still managed to put up big numbers no matter who is throwing him the ball.
Jefferson has already broken lots of team and NFL records, and he achieved another milestone in the Vikings’ Sunday Night Football loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
As the NFL showcased on X, Jefferson had his 500th catch in that game, tying him with Larry Fitzgerald as the youngest person to have 500 receptions.
5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ @JJettas2
Tied with Larry Fitzgerald as the youngest player to reach 500 career receptions 👏 pic.twitter.com/f6QNwa94Qg
— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2025
If Jefferson wasn’t already in elite enough company, he’s now sharing the pedestal with Larry Fitzgerald, who is viewed as one of the best wideouts of all time.
Many believe Jefferson can get to that point, if not end his career as the best to ever do it, but he has a ways to go until that claim can be made.
Jefferson seemed to express some frustrations with J.J. McCarthy in their Week 2 loss, as it felt like they weren’t on the same page for much of the game.
While the elite wideout has been patient to this point, he might run out of patience eventually, especially if the Vikings keep making changes at QB.
For now, he’ll have to work with what he has at his disposal, hoping to put up another elite season.
NEXT: Justin Jefferson Could Make NFL History Against Falcons
