Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell is going from one star receiver in Cooper Kupp to another one in Justin Jefferson.
If what the Los Angeles Rams did with Kupp is any inclination of what the Vikings are going to do with Jefferson, it’s going to be a problem for the rest of the league.
The “Griddy” could be going primetime.
“I see an incredible, incredible skill set [with Justin], but I also see a player we can move around,” said O’Connell, when appearing on Pro Football Talk. “…He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands. He’s willing in the run game. This guy is a special, special player.
“I loved him a couple years ago when he was coming out of the draft. We obviously weren’t in a position to possibly get a chance to coach him, but you still go through the process and you see the traits—you see the skill set. And he’s really just grown since day one. I think he’s got an incredibly bright future. He’s already a superstar in this league in my mind.”
An argument could be made that Jefferson is the best receiver in the NFL.
Kupp was the only player he trailed in receiving yards last season, but no other receiver in the league, including Kupp, has had a better run than “Jets” in his first two years in the league.
Jefferson broke Odell Beckham Jr.’s record for the most receiving yards ever by a player in his first two seasons with 3,016 yards. He has also compiled more 15-plus yard plays over that time span than any of his contemporaries.
And if not for Mike Zimmer’s odd coaching decisions in the finale against the Chicago Bears last season, Jefferson was well on his way towards breaking legendary wideout Randy Moss’ franchise single-season receiving yards record for the Vikings.
It’s not every day a team has a receiving weapon like that one.
That elite ability combined with the offensive wizardry of O’Connell should make for some exciting moments on the field in 2022. Vikings fans, grab your popcorn.
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