EAGAN, Minn. — His flavor is unmistakable. It's singular — and pronounced.

With Oakley shades shielding the sun's glare from his eyes, and glinting jewelry befit of a superstar adorning his neck, inches above his Purple-plated chest, Justin Jefferson talked, and smirked, and talked.

The megastar Vikings wide receiver turns 26 years old in less than two weeks. He's produced 7,432 receiving yards in his first 77 career games – 22 yards off Julio Jones' historic same-game pace – and 495 catches, which already ranks fifth in Minnesota's record books and is 93 away from passing Randy Moss for second on the all-time Vikings chart. Jefferson is arguably the greatest active force gracing a gridiron.

We know, that's a lot to digest. But Jefferson, in many respects, is larger than life.

On Monday afternoon, No. 18 fielded questions — after fielding throws — that were tossed to him by a coalition of local media. His session touched on the 2025 team's urgency, his leadership journey, and his impression of the inexperienced quarterback who is lined up to feed him passes in Year 6: J.J. McCarthy.

"I feel like just based off of last year, us having 14 wins, the confidence is there," Jefferson stated in a very matter-of-fact manner. "So it's all about just coming together, bonding as a team, which we did last year – and we felt like that team last year was a very special team. So [we're] just carrying on that same mindset, making sure everybody is together as one, and just coming out here and putting in that work."

Early in his remarks, Jefferson elaborated on his presence at Organized Team Activity practices this year, it being a voluntary phase of the offseason that he's previously skipped. It was a "no-brainer" to be involved, he said, so that he could connect with several new teammates, including a new quarterback.

"It's not really hard, I would say," Jefferson said of the alternative, which for him has been a later arrival and therefore less hours to get in sync with his offensive teammates ahead of any given season. "I mean, I've done it before. But it's just having a little bit of extra time to really bond with the team, build that connection. And, of course, getting those reps with the quarterback, it makes a big difference.

"I feel like it's more for them than for me," Jefferson continued. "It really doesn't matter who's throwing the ball (no kidding! Jefferson has thrived with a carousel of quarterbacks). As soon as the ball gets close to my face, I'm gonna try to catch it. It doesn't matter how fast the ball is going, the spin of it, or if it's coming from a lefty or a righty. I mean, my job is to catch the ball. So I feel like it's more for the quarterback to see the tempo of the routes, seeing how I run the routes, seeing the different moves that I add to my routes, and I feel like working with that is more of a quarterback thing than a receiver thing."

Jefferson said he's embracing an even larger leadership role in 2025, carrying on a progression that began in Head Coach Kevin O'Connell's first season (2022).

"You know, everybody that knows me knows that growing up I was a more shy guy, more leading by example than by my voice," said Jefferson before shedding awareness of his enormous influence. "So just whenever I have some type of encouraging words, or just have that chance to bring up a team and to break us down, that all makes a difference. And even just being here makes a difference. So it just feels great to be around the team earlier than normal, and [I'm] just carrying on that leadership role."

Importantly, it enables him to put 10 toes down and concentrate his energy on helping McCarthy.

"First of all, he understands the role that he has now. He understands that he is the starting quarterback at this moment," Jefferson said, detailing some of the maturation he's noticed in the 22-year-old. "I feel like he kind of brings that with him to practice, knowing that he has to have that leadership. He's the captain of our team. So I feel like him being right beside me and him trying to learn as much as he needs to, I feel like just his awareness of the game and his intelligence has really grown."

Beyond the mental side, Jefferson shared excitement over McCarthy's live arm and offered advice.

"He can definitely zip it whenever he needs," Jefferson said, an effortless joy seeping through his smile. "And I try to kind of force it to him, it's just all about being confident. … Just let everything happen. Don't try to make the best play every single play. Just going out there and just being himself."

There's perhaps no better messenger regarding authenticity and it paying twofold than Jefferson.

Consider again, Jefferson's flavor – his style, his swagger, his sashay – is unique. "Jets" has acted in commercials. He has attended Paris Fashion Week (and strutted in the Vogue World Show). Also, he walked the red carpet at the Met Gala. In each endeavor, his confidence, and appearance, has radiated.

Jefferson's flavor, however, extends, or originated rather, in an environment that more snuggly suits his skills: between the white lines, with pressure to be just himself, a one-of-a-kind force of football nature.

Since this portion of the year is ideal for teaching and gaining chemistry, there's two pieces of information extremely pertinent to understanding Jefferson's game – and to McCarthy honing his own.

One reporter wondered aloud, What are 1-2 things you want a quarterback to know playing with you?

"Just to throw it up anywhere and I'm gonna go get it," Jefferson quipped instinctively. "But I mean, really, just, well, from what I learned, I would say the difference between me and a different receiver is what I put on the top of my routes. The flavor I have on the tops, the stride length that I have with my routes, and just knowing, just certain routes that I'll break it off at a certain distance that another receiver might break it off a little earlier – because of my stride length. So all of that just goes into play, and the more we're out here and … having those reps, the better we're going to be."

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