Jefferson Misses NFL Record But Hits 'My Main Goal'

January 09, 2023

Justin Jefferson


Justin Jefferson became the youngest player to lead the NFL in catches and receiving yards! At 23, Jefferson is 136 days younger than Green Bay Packers receiver Don Hutson was when he led the league in both categories in 1936. Jefferson caught four passes for 38 yards Sunday in the Vikings' 29-13 victory over the Chicago Bears, setting his league-high totals at 128 receptions for 1,809 yards in 17 games. It was the sixth-most receiving yards for a season in NFL history, and was perhaps the most critical factor in the Vikings' 13 victories, but it fell short of Calvin Johnson's record of 1,964 yards set over 16 games in 2012. When asked about Calvin Johnson's record, Jefferson said "It's tough...but I feel like I reached my main goal. My main goal was 1,800, coming off 1,600 last year. Of course I wanted to exceed that goal and get to 2,000. But it's just another opportunity for next year, something to strive for. But as long as we're in the playoffs, as long as we keep fighting and having extra games, it doesn't really matter. I feel like I did a lot for this team this season, doing whatever I needed to do when the ball was in the air and touched my hands. It's disappointing individually, but there's so much more to fight for than this record." The Minnesota Vikings will face the New York Giants on Sunday at 4:40 pm EST. See the full story here.


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