When we look back on the outstanding career of Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, it's safe to say his 2025 season isn't going to be the first thing that everyone wants to talk about.
Due to multiple reasons outside of Jefferson's control (cough, cough, quarterback uncertainty, cough), he finished the 2025 campaign with single-season career lows for receiving yards per game (61.6), yards per reception (12.5), and touchdown catches (two).
Despite his struggles in 2025, people aren't changing their views about his greatness just yet.
During an appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show" on Wednesday, legendary former NFL receiver Jerry Rice was asked who he believes is the No. 1 wideout in the league right now, and his answer was one that all Vikings fans will agree with.
“I still got to go with Justin Jefferson. Even though he hasn't had [an elite] quarterback, this guy can do it all.
He can stretch the field, he can out-jump you, [and] he's not afraid to go across the middle.
There are some great receivers out there, but I would still put him as No. 1.”
Jerry Rice says Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson is the NFL's No. 1 WR
As the NFL's all-time leader in career receptions (1,549), career receiving yards (22,895), and career touchdown catches (197), Rice knows a thing or two about what it takes to be an elite wide receiver, so his comments on Wednesday shouldn't be ignored.
While Jefferson's final 2025 numbers didn't rank among the best receivers in the NFL, there's no reason to believe that his drop in production is something that is going to become a trend.
It seems fair to assume that a big priority for Minnesota's coaching staff this offseason is going to be figuring out how to get Jefferson's numbers back to ranking near the top of the NFL in 2026. If the Vikings have to find a new starting quarterback to achieve this, then that's probably something they're going to do.
Jefferson is currently the highest-paid player on Minnesota's entire roster, so getting his production back to an elite level is an absolute must for the team next season.