How Justin Jefferson played a huge role beyond the box score in Vikings' win over Bears

EAGAN, Minn.

If you were a defensive coordinator, how would you defend yourself? Presented with this question at a news conference last week, Justin Jefferson giggled.

Its either let everybody else go off or let Justin go off, the Minnesota Vikings superstar receiver said.

Option No.

1 has been the popular choice of late.

This is not to say opposing defenses havent built curated strategies to stop Jefferson for multiple seasons they have.

In 2024, though, the commitment to containing him has risen to an almost laughable level.

If you see Jefferson in one-on-one coverage, its either a bold roll of the dice by the defense or a brutal error.

Advertisement Jefferson has astronomical aspirations.

He speaks openly about wanting a gold jacket that comes with being a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Each year, he thinks 2,000 receiving yards is in play.

And these declarations dont come across as arrogant.

Hes just a historically accomplished 25-year-old, who last week passed Torry Holt for the most receiving yards in a players first five NFL seasons, telling what he believes to be the truth.

His response to the How would you cover yourself? question was similar.

After laying out the two options, he said, Id let everybody else go off, too.

It looks like they opted for the 'let everybody else go off' gameplan.

https://t.co/cK8wceCC1l pic.twitter.com/xFuVgajcqU Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 25, 2024 On Sunday, the Chicago Bears became the third straight team to sell out to this strategy.

Even when elite cornerback Jaylon Johnson manned Jefferson on the line of scrimmage, Chicagos linebackers and safeties shaded toward Jefferson and seemed attentive to his every move.

The box score tells one story: Jefferson only caught two passes for 27 yards, his lowest mark in a game he has finished in almost two years.

The film tells a different tale: Three penalties he drew prevented two potential touchdown catches, and his gravity allowed his teammates to feast on the Bears defense.

Second-year receiver Jordan Addison set career highs with eight receptions and 162 receiving yards.

Tight end T.J.

Hockenson added seven catches for 114 receiving yards.

Running back Aaron Jones rushed for 106 yards.

After the game, quarterback Sam Darnold highlighted the play of all three.

Then he mentioned Jefferson.

When hes out there, Darnold said, he gets guys open.

There are more than a handful of examples.

The image below captures a trio of Bears defenders hovering around Jefferson on a critical third-and-13 situation in the fourth quarter.

Backup quarterback Nick Mullens , temporarily in for the dinged-up Darnold, hit Jones (at the far left of the circle) on a crossing route for a gain of 14 and a first down: The next picture is from the second quarter.

The Vikings ran a high-low concept in the left corner of the end zone.

Johnson hesitated, thinking Darnold might go after Jefferson toward the back pylon.

Instead, Darnold dumped the ball to receiver Jalen Nailor , who tiptoed into the end zone: This next snapshot might be the most illustrative of all.

The Vikings faced a third-and-12 with 3:37 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Jefferson switch-released off the line of scrimmage, jammed his hands into Johnsons chest to create space and leaned into Johnson aggressively enough to create contact between him and Bears linebacker T.J.

Edwards .

Edwards fell, and Hockenson sprung free for a 34-yard gain.

CLUTCH GENE Sam Darnold x @TheeHOCK8 : @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/PdaxrPYldw Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 24, 2024 Hes one of the most competitive players Ive been around, Vikings coach Kevin OConnell said Monday.

The outcome of him not having a major impact on the game is really not a possibility in his mind.

Jeffersons presence will always affect a defenses structure, but if he were not engaged, not committed to the success of the team over himself, the Minnesota offense would not be capable of a 30-point performance on the road.

Whether you call it a selfless mindset, overall awareness or maturity, add it to the list of Jeffersons special traits.

Advertisement He tracks passes at an elite level.

His route running was once described by safety Tyrann Mathieu as silk waving in the wind.

Ask Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore about Jeffersons toughness, and hell have no trouble recalling a flagged collision from a 2022 game between the Vikings and Colts .

This quality might not be as visual, but it has been a theme throughout his career even in college.

GO DEEPER Justin Jefferson, his WR 'sensei' and the art of running silky-smooth routes Coaches at LSU needed a slot receiver during Jeffersons junior year.

None of the other receivers volunteered, so Jefferson accepted the role.

When it came time for negotiations on his record-breaking contract extension, Jefferson vowed to keep conversations private.

There were no opaque social media posts, no ruckuses raised in press conferences.

He did not miss a single involuntary workout.

When conversations were being had about quarterback Kirk Cousins future with the team, Jefferson backed Cousins while also speaking positively about the idea of a young quarterback and what that would mean.

The NFL often rewards style over substance.

But for his pregame attire, and even this summers trip to France for fashion week, Jefferson leans more toward the latter.

His attitude earned him the honor of becoming a team captain before last season and again this season.

All you have to do is watch him on game day to understand why.

Following Nailors touchdown Sunday, a pass that could have gone to him, Jefferson thrust his hands to the sky in a touchdown pose and was the first teammate there to celebrate.

.

@jalennailor gives the #Vikings the lead! : @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/D3AZuw1nDE Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 24, 2024 It all comes from a place where he just wants to win, OConnell said.

The coach then added, I do feel a responsibility to let him feel like hes always impacting the game.

There is a delicate balance in this like theres a balance with Darnold.

How far can OConnell push for explosiveness with Darnold and still keep his turnovers in check? How much can OConnell lean into making Addison and Hockenson the primary targets without Jefferson getting antsy? OConnells ability to lean into others is a testament to a superstar who sees the bigger picture.

Jefferson always has, and that cannot be taken for granted.

(Photo: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images).

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