Why history says the Vikings will be a Super Bowl contender in 2021

The replacement star receiver

In 2016, the Vikings were led in receiving by Stefon Diggs, who caught 84 passes for 903 yards and three touchdowns.

In 2020, Minnesota was led in receiving by rookie sensation Justin Jefferson, who has ended up being Diggs’ replacement after the team traded Diggs to the Buffalo Bills last offseason and then using the pick they got in return to draft Jefferson. Last season, Jefferson caught 88 passes for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns.

Diggs went into the 2016 campaign at the age of 22 and Jefferson will be 22-years-old when the Vikings season kicks off in 2021.

Minnesota fans are giddy to see the iconic Jefferson “Griddy” dance that swept the NFL during his historic rookie campaign which saw him break the Vikings’ all-time rookie receiving yards record of 1,313 previously held by Randy Moss.

Another familiar face will be the backbone of the Minnesota receiving corps in 2021 the same as he was in 2016. Adam Thielen returns as the underdog success story turned savvy vet on the Vikings roster for the upcoming season.