Despite having a record start to his career, Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson doesn't think he is the best wide receiver in the NFL – at least not yet.
Jefferson gave that accolade to Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders during an interview with Complex this week, but the two-time Pro Bowler was quick to say he expects to come out on top following the 2022 season.
"I'll say after this year I'll be the best receiver in the NFL," Jefferson said. "I definitely have to give it to Davante Adams 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 has the numbers to back up that prediction, as his 3,016 receiving yards are the most for a player in their first two seasons in the NFL. His 196 catches are tied with Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints for the most in a wide receiver’s first two campaigns.
After being selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Jefferson had 88 receptions and set an NFL rookie record with 1,400 yards to go along with seven touchdowns. Last season, he totalled 108 catches for 1,616 yards and 10 TDs.
Jefferson's 1,616 receiving yards in 2021 were the second-most in the NFL behind Los Angeles Rams star Cooper Kupp (1,947) and slightly ahead of Adams, who had 1,553 yards in his final season with the Green Bay Packers before being traded to the Raiders in March.
"It's definitely tough to outdo 1,600 yards," Jefferson said. "It's not normal for people to get that many yards consistently, back-to-back like that.
“Really just working on my weaknesses that I felt that I had throughout the season, always working on my game. I'm always working on route running, always can work on catching the ball, so just trying to better my craft at all of those different categories."
If Jefferson can better his craft, he believes he will be the best wide receiver in the league.
"I think I have to do it three years in a row for everybody to believe so," he said. "Some people don't think that after two years, you deserve to be at the top of the league.
“And then me, I feel like I'm going to surpass 1,600 yards, too. So I think that I'll become the best receiver after this year."
Steelers to start QB Fields with Wilson hurt
Russell Wilson's injured calf will keep him out of Sunday's season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, making Justin Fields the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers had named Wilson the team's starting quarterback but the 12-year NFL veteran aggravated a calf injury this past week that had side-lined him earlier in training camp.
He had tried to warmup up before Pittsburgh's game at Atlanta before the team ultimately decided to make him the emergency quarterback.
As the emergency QB, he can only take the field if Fields and backup Kyle Allen both get injured.
The Steelers acquired Fields from the Chicago Bears in March for a conditional draft pick.
The pick will be a sixth-rounder unless Fields plays 51 percent of the snaps this season for Pittsburgh, then it will become a fourth-rounder.
Fields made 38 starts and appeared in 40 games for Chicago since he was selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 draft. He completed 60.3 percent of his passes with 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions and added 14 rushing scores.
The 35-year-old Wilson, a Super Bowl XLVIII champion with the Seattle Seahawks, joined the Steelers a week before they made the trade for Fields after two disappointing seasons with the Denver Broncos.
Prescott pens record-breaking Cowboys contract
Dak Prescott is set to sign a record-breaking, $240million contract with the Dallas Cowboys, according to reports.
Prescott's future has been up in the air but, just hours out from their season opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, it appears the Cowboys have struck a deal with their quarterback.
The deal includes a guaranteed $231m and an $80m signing bonus.
With an annual salary of $60m, Prescott will become the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history.
This is the second extension the 31-year-old has penned with Dallas, where he will remain through the 2028 season.
Prescott led the NFL for completions (410) and touchdowns (36) last season.
Reports: Jordan Love to miss 3-6 weeks with MCL sprain
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has been diagnosed with an MCL sprain, multiple media outlets reported Saturday, and he is expected to return this season.
NFL Network reported that the Packers’ initial timetable for Love’s return is three to six weeks.
The team will reportedly seek a second opinion to be sure.
The only other active quarterback on Green Bay’s roster is Malik Willis, who was acquired via trade from the Tennessee Titans less than two weeks ago. Former fifth-round draft pick Sean Clifford is on the practice squad.
Love was injured on the penultimate play of the Packers’ 34-29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday.
Love was 17 of 34 for 260 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in the Packers’ season opener in São Paulo.
Green Bay hosts the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Sept. 15, followed by games at Tennessee and against the Minnesota Vikings.
Entering his second season as the Packers’ starter, Love signed a four-year, $220million contract extension this summer.
Filling the shoes of the departed Aaron Rodgers, Love threw for 4,159 yards with 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season, leading the Packers to a 9-8 regular season and a play-off win over the Dallas Cowboys.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
