Justin Jefferson breaks NFL record previously held by Vikings rival

Against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson broke an NFL record that was held by New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson entered Sunday’s matchup against the Chicago Bears with the opportunity to become the first player in NFL history to gain at least 2,000 receiving yards in a single season.

But before getting anywhere close to breaking that record, Jefferson wound up setting a new league record that was previously held by New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas.

With his first catch on Sunday in Chicago, Jefferson set a new NFL record for the most receptions by a player in his first three seasons in the league, which was set by Thomas back in 2018.

New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas the latest to be passed in the NFL record book by Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson

Jefferson has been breaking records throughout his entire career in the league, especially during the 2022 season.

This year, the Minnesota receiver set new franchise records for catches and receiving yards in a single season. Those Vikings records were only held previously by Hall of Famers Cris Carter (catches) and Randy Moss (receiving yards), so Jefferson surpassing these marks was a pretty big deal.

Heading into Sunday against the Bears, the Minnesota superstar was the league leader in catches and receiving yards this season.

If Jefferson’s position at the top of each of these categories holds, he’ll become the first Vikings player to lead the NFL in catches since Carter in 1994 and the first Minnesota player to ever lead the league in receiving yards.