While Sam Darnold is preparing for the Super Bowl, his former teammate Justin Jefferson can only help but wonder what could’ve been. 

“But having a quarterback that already had a season under his belt with us,” Jefferson said, “knew the plays, knew the playbook, knew the players, throwing to me, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, all these guys, I definitely feel like we would have done better.”

Darnold was signed by the Minnesota Vikings during the 2024 offseason. Originally, he was projected to be J.J. McCarthy’s backup. However, after McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury, Darnold was named the starter.

Darnold threw 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on the way to 14 wins. He made his first career Pro Bowl for his performance. The Vikings lost in the wild-card game to the Los Angeles Rams, where Darnold had one touchdown and one interception. 

The Vikings decided to let Darnold leave in the offseason. Darnold signed a three-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks while the Vikings looked to start McCarthy in 2025. McCarthy threw 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 10 games. Backup Carson Wentz didn’t do much better with six touchdowns and five interceptions in five games. 

Darnold won 14 games with the Seahawks, while the Vikings won just nine. 

The Vikings’ future at the QB position is currently in doubt. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was fired in late January. Rob Brzezinski will be the acting GM until after the NFL draft.

Brzezinski will need to decide whether he wants to be aggressive or passive during the offseason. The choice he makes will directly affect who wants the GM job. At the QB position, he’ll need to decide if he wants to draft a young QB, sign a veteran, starting-quality QB, or just keep things the same and trust McCarthy’s development. 

A heartwarming moment occurred after Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson gifted a young fan his SportsCenter Top 10 chain following Monday Night Football’s win against the Chicago Bears.

Down 17-6 in the fourth quarter, the Vikings scored 21 unanswered points to take home a 27-24 opening week win at Solider Field.

Jefferson, who scored to begin Minnesota’s second-half comeback, approached the young fan in the front row following the game. The 26-year-old proceeded to put his SportCenter Top 10 chain around the fan’s neck and gifted him the game ball.

The former LSU receiver recorded 44 yards against the Bears along with the touchdown. He is currently entering his sixth season in the NFL.

The Vikings are looking to win back-to-back games to start the season as they host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase returned to practice Wednesday, ending his extended hiatus without a new deal. In an off-season full of similar holdouts, Chase is one of many star players who will have to be game-ready Week 1 without meaningful preparation over the summer.

While 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk earned most of the headlines this off-season for his extensive negotiations, which eventually culminated in San Francisco offering him a $120 million deal, Chase’s tactics have been uniquely discreet. For one, the 24-year-old has been ‘holding in,’ not out, meaning that he has been with the team all summer but has not been practicing.

In terms of price, details were scant for a long time while the two sides talked, with the only sense of clarity stemming from the fact that Chase would be seeking a massive deal. In three NFL seasons, the LSU product has amassed 3,717 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns, making him one of the foremost players at his position. With his rookie contract ending in 2025, his next contract is sure to be lucrative.

Last week, sources close to the situation finally revealed exactly what Chase was looking for. Some saw it as petty. Several months after Vikings star Justin Jefferson signed a record-breaking four-year, $140 million extension, Chase reportedly asked Cincinnati to pay him “one penny more” than his old LSU teammate. He is asking to become the highest paid position player in NFL history.

In an interview on “Up and Adams” Wednesday, shortly before Chase returned to practice, Jefferson sent an encouraging message to his friend, while also warning him about the dangers of missing time.

“I hope that he gets the contract that he’s looking for, but I also hope that he plays it smart and not let it get in the way of, you know, his greatness and being on that field,” Jefferson said.

In due time, Chase will be paid about as well as he believes he deserves, but for now, he will continue playing under his rookie contract and hope to come to terms with Cincinnati in the near future. It is unlikely that the team wants to part ways with the star, who has shown plenty of rapport with quarterback Joe Burrow, another former LSU teammate, and figures to be a fixture in the NFL for years to come. He is currently slated to start Week 1 against the Patriots.

The Minnesota Vikings and star wide receiver Justin Jefferson have agreed to a landmark four-year, $140 million contract extension, with $110 million guaranteed. This deal makes Jefferson the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

The contract, which WME Football brokered, includes $88.743 million due at signing. The Vikings announced that Jefferson’s extension will keep him with the team through the 2028 season, although they did not disclose financial details.

“The time has finally come. The deal I’ve been waiting for since I was a little kid,” Jefferson said in an Instagram video. “Being doubted my whole career. Not being highly recruited. Not being the first receiver off the draft board. This whole journey wasn’t easy for me. … To be given a gift to play football at the highest level is a blessing. It’s an honor.”

Jefferson’s $110 million guaranteed money sets a new benchmark for comprehensive receiver contracts, surpassing other top earners like A.J. Brown and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf expressed their enthusiasm about the deal. “Justin has earned this contract, and we are thrilled he will remain a Minnesota Viking for a very long time,“ they said in a statement. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah praised Jefferson’s impact on and off the field. “He is the living embodiment of our culture with his joyful dedication to process and our goals. We couldn’t be more excited for Justin and his family.”

The agreement comes after Jefferson declined a previous contract offer from the Vikings that would have paid him over $28 million annually. By betting on himself, Jefferson secured a deal with an average annual value of $35 million, surpassing the previous non-quarterback record held by San Francisco 49ers’ Nick Bosa.

Since being drafted 22nd overall by the Vikings in 2020, Jefferson has amassed 392 receptions for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns. His 98.3 receiving yards per game is the highest average in NFL history for any career span, and he holds the record for the most receiving yards in the first three seasons of a career with 4,825.

“Justin is an exceptionally talented player and an incredible person that I am honored to coach and have as a team captain,“ Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell told ESPN. “His positive energy and love for the game shows up daily as he works to be the best at his craft.”

The Vikings are ready for a new era of offensive prowess, having replaced quarterback Kirk Cousins with free agent Sam Darnold and first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy this offseason. Despite missing games due to injury last season, Jefferson’s exceptional performance solidifies his role as a cornerstone of the Vikings’ future.

Jefferson was the fifth receiver selected in the 2020 draft. It quickly proved his versatility and talent, making him an invaluable asset to the Vikings and setting the stage for continued success in the years to come.

Minnesota Vikings receiver Adam Thielen will miss the rest of the season due to ankle surgery, and that could lead to fantasy trouble—but not for the reason you think.

Thielen, who had 67 receptions for 721 yards and 10 touchdowns this campaign, would not have carried anyone’s fantasy team. However, his absence could make trouble for fellow wideout Justin Jefferson.

Thielen hasn’t been the team’s go-to option at receiver since Jefferson arrived last year. He has 97 catches this season for 1,451 yards and nine TDs. As good as he’s been, he clearly benefits from Thielen’s presence.

In 13 games with Thielen on the field, Jefferson averaged 6.6 catches for 101.9 yards; he averaged 5.5 catches for 63 yards in two games sans Thielen.

Against the Packers—the Vikes’ opponent this week—earlier this season, Jefferson caught eight passes for 169 yards and two scores. However, without Thielen, expectations should not be as high.

Thielen’s absence could make it worth adding Minnesota receiver K.J. Osborn in deeper leagues, or as a desperation move, as the rookie had 104 yards receiving in the two Thielen-less games, including a 62-yard touchdown in Week 14.

Last season, the Minnesota Vikings were very close to clinching a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. However, it all went wrong during a three-game losing streak that broke the hearts of fans. It was the first time since 2014 that the Vikings missed the playoffs and just the second time under head coach Mike Zimmer.

Despite a heartbreaking season, Minnesota has reasons to be optimistic about the 2021 season, especially after wide receiver Justin Jefferson broke the NFL rookie record for receiving yards with 1,400 and was named to the Pro Bowl.

The Vikings also have one of the most talented duos in the backfield in Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison. Cook finished second in rushing yards (1,557) and in total touchdowns (17) at the running back position. While the offense will run through Cook, the Vikings also have a solid aerial attack with Jefferson and veteran wideout Adam Thielen.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins is still performing at a high enough level to potentially lead this talented team to the postseason.

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Minnesota Vikings Schedule:

• Week 1: Sun 09/12 at Cincinnati Bengals
• Week 2: Sun 09/19 at Arizona Cardinals
• Week 3: Sun 09/26 vs Seattle Seahawks
• Week 4: Sun 10/03 vs Cleveland Browns
• Week 5: Sun 10/10 vs Detroit Lions
• Week 6: Sun 10/17 at Carolina Panthers
• Week 7: Sun 10/24 BYE Week
• Week 8: Sun 10/31 vs Dallas Cowboys
• Week 9: Sun 11/07 at Baltimore Ravens
• Week 10: Sun 11/14 at Los Angeles Chargers
• Week 11: Sun 11/21 vs Green Bay Packers
• Week 12: Sun 11/28 at San Francisco 49ers
• Week 13: Sun 12/05 at Detroit Lions
• Week 14: Thu 12/09 vs Pittsburgh Steelers 
• Week 15: Mon 12/20 at Chicago Bears 
• Week 16: Sun 12/26 vs Los Angeles Rams
• Week 17: Sun 1/02 at Green Bay Packers
• Week 18: Sun 01/09 vs Chicago Bears

NFC North: The Vikings have to get through the Packers if they want to win the division. Not only that, but they have to watch out for the Bears, who are on the rise. The Vikings should get two easy wins against the atrocious Lions, but the team’s remaining four games in the division will be tough. If Minnesota can beat Chicago in both meetings, they have a good shot at securing a Wild Card spot.

Matchups: Minnesota has a tough stretch beginning after their Week 7 bye. From Week 8 to Week 11, the Vikings will have to take on the Cowboys, Ravens and Packers. However, things get even tougher towards the end of the season. From Week 14 to Week 18,  Minnesota will only face teams that made the playoffs last year. Over that five-week stretch, the Vikings will suit up against the Steelers, Rams and Packers, as well as the Bears twice. If the Vikings have any shot at the division title, they will need to sweep the Bears and defeat the Packers at least once. If they do all that, they could very well steal the division crown from Green Bay.

Prediction: The Vikings will finish second in the NFC North with a 10-7 record, which will be good enough to clinch a Wild Card spot in the playoffs.

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Heading into the 2021 NFL season, we have ranked the top players at each position. Today, we are focusing on the wide receiver position. Click on each player to view his individual writeup in the slideshow or click on the link at the bottom to view the entire slideshow from the beginning.

1. Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
2. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
3. DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
4. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills
5. D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
6. Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons
7. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
8. A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans
9. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
10. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers

Click HERE to view the full the slideshow!

Best Of The Rest:

• 11. Allen Robinson, CHI / Age: 28 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 12. Chris Godwin, TB / Age: 25 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 13. Julio Jones, ATL / Age: 32 / FA: 2024
• 14. Terry McLaurin, WAS / Age: 25 / FA: 2023
• 15. Kenny Golladay, NYG / Age: 27 / FA: 2025
• 16. Mike Evans, TB / Age: 28 / FA: 2024
• 17. Amari Cooper, DAL / Age: 27 / FA: 2025
• 18. Robert Woods, LAR / Age: 29 / FA: 2026
• 19. Will Fuller, MIA / Age: 27 / FA: 2022
• 20. Diontae Johnson, PIT / Age: 25 / FA: 2023
• 21. Adam Thielen, MIN / Age: 31 / FA: 2025
• 22. Cooper Kupp, LAR / Age: 28 / FA: 2024
• 23. CeeDee Lamb, DAL / Age: 22 / FA: 2025
• 24. Tee Higgins, CIN / Age: 22 / FA: 2024
• 25. Odell Beckham Jr., CLE / Age: 28 / FA: 2024
• 26. Brandon Aiyuk, SF / Age: 23 / FA: 2025
• 27. Courtland Sutton, DEN / Age: 25 / FA: 2022
• 28. D.J. Moore, CAR / Age: 24 / FA: 2023
• 29. Tyler Lockett, SEA / Age: 28 / FA: 2022
• 30. Chase Claypool, PIT / Age: 23 / FA: 2024
• 31. D.J. Chark, JAC / Age: 24 / FA: 2022
• 32. Tyler Boyd, CIN / Age: 26 / FA: 2024
• 33. Deebo Samuel, SF / Age: 25 / FA: 2023
• 34. JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT / Age: 24 / FA: 2022
• 35. Robby Anderson, CAR / Age: 28 / FA: 2022
• 36. Brandin Cooks, HOU / Age: 27 / FA: 2024
• 37. Jarvis Landry, CLE / Age: 28 / FA: 2023
• 38. DeVante Parker, MIA / Age: 28 / FA: 2024
• 39. Marquise Brown, BAL / Age: 24 / FA: 2024
• 40. Corey Davis, NYJ / Age: 26 / FA: 2024
• 41. Curtis Samuel, WAS / Age: 25 / FA: 2024
• 42. Antonio Brown, TB / Age: 33 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 43. Jalen Reagor, PHI / Age: 22 / FA: 2025
• 44. Jerry Jeudy, DEN / Age: 22 / FA: 2025
• 45. Laviska Shenault, JAC / Age: 22 / FA: 2024
• 46. Jamison Crowder, FA / Age: 28 / FA: 2022
• 47. Michael Pittman Jr., IND / Age: 23 / FA: 2024
• 48. Sterling Shepard, NYG / Age: 28 / FA: 2024
• 49. Cole Beasley, BUF / Age: 32 / FA: 2023
• 50. Marvin Jones Jr., JAC / Age: 31 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 51. Henry Ruggs III, LV / Age: 22 / FA: 2025
• 52. Mecole Hardman, KC / Age: 23 / FA: 2023
• 53. T.Y. Hilton, IND / Age: 31 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 54. Nelson Agholor, NE / Age: 28 / FA: 2022
• 55. Christian Kirk, ARI / Age: 24 / FA: 2022
• 56. Michael Gallup, DAL / Age: 25 / FA: 2022
• 57. Darius Slayton, NYG / Age: 24 / FA: 2023
• 58. John Brown, LV / Age: 31 / FA: 2022
• 59. Darnell Mooney, CHI / Age: 23 / FA: 2024
• 60. Denzel Mims, NYJ / Age: 23 / FA: 2024

Coming off what is considered to be the best season in college football history, LSU enters the offseason with their sights set high for the future. But they will have to do it with substantially fewer players.

Tight end Thaddeus Moss has become the ninth underclassmen to leave campus and declare for the NFL draft. The son of Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss transferred from North Carolina State to join the all-star team that LSU had assembled. He played a pivotal role this season catching 47 passes for 570 yards, with three of his four touchdowns coming in the College Football Playoffs.

Running back Clyde Edwards–Helaire will be leaving campus, forcing LSU to find another back with the versatility and “heart” of Edwards-Helaire.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

Receiver Justin Jefferson, safety Grant Delpit and outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson are all set to depart for the pros, leaving LSU searching for a corps of guys to replace what seems unreplaceable.

Of course, Heisman Trophy winner and star quarterback Joe Burrow will leave and is projected by some to go number one in the draft. His poise and leadership have been staples for LSU and Coach Ed Orgeron will face a tough task of filling the gaps where legendary players once stood.

An anticipated Peach Bowl semifinal between No. 1 LSU and No. 4 Oklahoma ended in a blowout with the Tigers topping the Sooners 63-28. A packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium saw Ed Orgeron and his team crush Oklahoma and send them home defeated.

Quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Justin Jefferson both set records in yesterday’s College Football Playoffs semifinal.

Burrow threw for eight touchdowns, seven being touchdown passes. He also passed for 493 yards and 515 total yards. All four of these are CFP records.

As for Jefferson, his records came with four touchdown catches and 227 receiving yards.

“Let’s get back out there on the field and keep executing,” Burrow said after the game. “I’m just thinking about my read keys and what I have to do each individual play. So I’m hoping that – obviously, I’m hoping the defense gets stops every time.”

Burrow and Jefferson were not the only ones to set records, as LSU, the team itself, set a few of their own. Scoring 49 points in the first half, 63 points in the game and totaling 692 yards on offense all proved to be Playoff records.

Dominant from the first snap, the LSU offense exposed Oklahoma defense from the start. Oklahoma offense, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, struggled to get by the might of LSU’s defense and fell very short of their goal.

“It’s incredible what this coaching staff has done, what these players have done, the connection that they have with the receivers, the protection on the offensive line”, said LSU coach Orgeron. “I’ve been a part of some good football teams, but I’ve never been part of an offense like this.”

LSU is not stranger to tough games, having defeated solid opponents in Oklahoma, Alabama, Auburn and Georgia. But Clemson will be a different beast for LSU as they prepare to face for the biggest challenge yet.

An advantage for LSU is playing at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. A home field advantage essentially as they seek a national championship.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

“Obviously, it’s going to be a great day, going to be a purple-and-gold crowd in that Superdome. The state of Louisiana is going to be on fire,” Orgeron said after the game. “But all those things doesn’t win the football game for you. We have to prepare. We have to study. We have to be ready to play our best football game.”