Recent Vikings move could cause Justin Jefferson to make a change

Following the expected release of running back Alexander Mattison, will Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson switch his jersey number?

On Thursday night, a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter revealed that the Minnesota Vikings are planning to release running back Alexander Mattison.

Mattison signed a two-year contract to remain with the Vikings last offseason, and after the first year of that new deal, the team has decided they don't want him to be part of their roster anymore.

Due to the running back's reported departure, the No. 2 jersey number will now be available for a Minnesota player to claim before the 2024 regular season, and a certain All-Pro wide receiver might be among those with a potential interest in taking over Mattison's old jersey number.

Will Justin Jefferson switch jersey numbers before the Minnesota Vikings 2024 season?

Back during his final college season at LSU in 2019, Jefferson caught 111 passes for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns while wearing the No. 2 on his jersey.

Wide receivers weren't allowed to have single-digit jersey numbers when Jefferson entered the NFL back in 2020, so he went with the No. 18 instead. But now, with the No. 2 jersey number expected to be available after Mattison's eventual release, could the Vikings' star receiver attempt to change his jersey number before the start of the 2024 season?

It's possible, but Jefferson might still have the same feelings he had back in 2021 when he shared a post online to let everyone know that he was sticking with the No. 18 on his jersey.

But he might not get another opportunity like this, so if Jefferson has ever thought about wanting to sport the No. 2 on his uniform again, it seems like this offseason might be the perfect opportunity to make the change.

Several of the NFL's top wide receivers are part of the single-digit jersey number club, including Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, DeVonta Smith, Amari Cooper, and even Minnesota's own Jordan Addison.

Could Jefferson become part of this group before the 2024 season now that Mattison's expected release will cause the No. 2 to be available for Vikings players to wear on their jerseys?