After signing a massive contract extension last summer that made among the highest paid players in the NFL, Justin Jefferson was voted a team captain by his teammates on the Vikings. What did the standout receiver learn about himself stepping into that position?

Jefferson is coming off his fifth straight 1,000-yard season. The NFL leader in receptions and receiving yards in 2022, he had a 103-1,533-10 line in 2024. However, Jefferson and the Vikings are breaking in a new quarterback, 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.

“He’s a tremendous talent, tremendous leader, but his leadership really shows up when he’s here,” said McCarthy, who accompanied Jefferson to a Timberwolves playoff game last month when they sat together in courtside seats. “Just being able to get that chemistry building on and off the field has been invaluable.”