Vikings rookie WR falls short of winning Offensive Rookie of the Year
By Adam Carlson
Justin Jefferson exploded onto the scene as a rookie, breaking franchise and NFL records for receptions and receiving yards and earning some amazing honors while dancing the Griddy into the hearts of fans.
Considering he was was Second-Team All-Pro in his first year and shattered the NFL record for receiving yards as a rookie, it seems as though he would be a shoo-in to win the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award at the NFL Honors show.
At the ceremony tonight, it was revealed that Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert took home the award. Herbert also won the fan vote for Pepsi Offensive Rookie of the Year earlier in the week, leaving the Minnesota pass-catcher left with empty hands.
Here is the announcement from the official Twitter account of FOX Sports: NFL:
Congrats to the 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year, @Chargers QB Justin Herbert! #NFLHonors pic.twitter.com/jZzK6uYPaS
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 7, 2021
This will come as a disappointment for Vikings fans but Herbert is a solid choice for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. He set numerous rookie quarterback records, including most touchdown passes, and most total touchdowns.
If the two individuals were considered to be too close to call in a race for the award this year, odds are that the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award would go to the player who plays quarterback. The NFL has always had a bias toward quarterbacks when it comes to awards, and since both players are deserving of the nod, it’s not surprising the Chargers passer got the nod. And it was an overwhelming nod, with Herbert getting 41 of the 50 votes and Jefferson getting the remaining votes according to Josh Dubow of the Associated Press.
Justin Jefferson has an extremely bright future ahead of him, even if that means going forward without some major accolades. At only 21 years old, the Minnesota Vikings have a lot of great years ahead of them with Jefferson to potentially dance the purple and gold deep into the playoffs for many seasons to come.