When we talk about the NFL’s elite wide receivers, Justin Jefferson’s name still rolls off the tongue with ease-and for good reason. Even after a 2025 season that didn’t match the lofty standards he’s set since entering the league, the Minnesota Vikings star continues to command respect from the game’s greatest voices.
Jefferson’s 2025 campaign was, by the numbers, his least productive season yet. He posted career lows in receiving yards per game (61.6), yards per catch (12.5), and touchdown receptions (2).
But context matters-and in Jefferson’s case, so does credibility. The dip in production had far more to do with the revolving door at quarterback than anything lacking in his own game.
That’s exactly what Hall of Famer Jerry Rice pointed out this week during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. When asked who he believes is the best wide receiver in the NFL right now, Rice didn’t hesitate.
“I still got to go with Justin Jefferson,” Rice said. “Even though he hasn't had [an elite] quarterback, this guy can do it all. He can stretch the field, he can out-jump you, [and] he's not afraid to go across the middle.”
Coming from the league’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches, that kind of endorsement carries weight. Rice isn’t just tossing out compliments-he’s identifying traits that define greatness. And in Jefferson, he sees the full package.
There’s no question Jefferson’s talent remains intact. His route-running is still among the sharpest in the league.
His hands? As reliable as ever.
And his ability to make contested catches and create separation hasn’t gone anywhere. What did change in 2025 was the stability under center.
The Vikings’ quarterback situation was anything but settled, and that kind of inconsistency can derail even the most dynamic playmakers.
But don’t expect this to be the new norm. Jefferson’s down year feels more like an outlier than a sign of decline. And with the Vikings fully aware of how central he is to their offensive identity-and their future-you can bet they’ll make it a priority to get him back to his usual dominant self in 2026.
He’s the highest-paid player on Minnesota’s roster, and that investment comes with expectations. Whether it means finding a new quarterback or retooling the offensive approach, the Vikings know they need to put Jefferson in position to thrive.
Because when he’s at his best, few-if any-can match what he brings to the field. Just ask Jerry Rice.