EAGAN, Minn. — With Cris Carter and John Randle together, something cool was in the cards.

The Vikings Legends and Pro Football Hall of Fame players stood suspensefully at the front of the team auditorium last Friday, with Carter gripping a microphone and Randle clenching a black rectangular box.

They came bearing a gift for "a guy that's been very, very successful in his career," Carter remarked.

He continued, "We're coming with the Madden ratings, J.J.! 99! One of seven players – Justin Jefferson!"

As Carter paused for effect, Randle cracked the lid of the box to reveal shimmering contents. He finished prying it open and put a sparkling silver "99" chain on display. Oooohs and yeahhhs preceded an applause.

"Come on down," Carter motioned to Jefferson. "He can put it with the rest of the diamonds!"

It's another flashy memento for someone who dazzles every time he steps foot on the field.

The Vikings phenom is the only player in franchise history to notch three seasons of 1,500 or more receiving yards. He's also the lone Purple-cladded playmaker with three seasons of at least 100 catches.

And now Jefferson is the organization's first three-time member of the 99 Club.

Jefferson's rating in the soon-to-be released Madden 26 video game was formally announced Monday morning. He's one of three returning members, along with Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson and Cleveland DE Myles Garrett, and seven total, in the "99 Club," which refers to players honored with the game's top ranking for a given year. Other superstars designated with a 99 overall launch rating are Buffalo QB Josh Allen, Philadelphia RB Saquon Barkley, Cincinnati WR Ja'Marr Chase and Philadelphia T Lane Johnson.

The surprise visit from Carter and Randle was a nice touch for a player on an unprecedented run.

Last year, Jefferson became the first Vikings player to be featured as a 99 more than once. He was originally a 98 in Madden 25 but got bumped up via an online roster update ahead of Minnesota's game on Thursday Night Football in Week 8 at SoFi Stadium. Jefferson was a 99 when Madden 24 launched.

Only three other Vikings players have reached the lofty video-game status: guard Randall McDaniel in Madden 99, defensive end Jared Allen in Madden 11 and running back Adrian Peterson in Madden 14.

Entering his sixth pro season, Jefferson has nabbed 495 receptions for 7,432 yards and 40 touchdowns. He drew his second First-Team All-Pro nod in 2024, with a 103-1,533-10 receiving line, after mustering career lows in catches (68), yards (1,074) and scores (5) in a 10-game slate shortened by injury in 2023.

Jefferson is the first player to log 7,000 receiving yards through his first five seasons. His three campaigns of 1,500-plus rank second all-time to Jerry Rice, who enjoyed four over a 20-year career. Jefferson, by and large, has established himself as one of the greats, already, and he's only 26 years old.

"Just to let you guys know what a small world it is, five years ago, I'm one of the mentors for the NFL Combine. I have 44 wide receivers. J.J. is in my group," reflected Carter, as the younger receiver dapped hands with Randle and took possession of his coveted bling. "I call the Vikings general manager (which was Rick Spielman) and say, 'I've got our guy! … He's going to be the best receiver in this year's draft!' "

History has proven Carter right.

Although Jefferson currently is nursing a minor hamstring strain at training camp, he was in good spirits when he addressed the media after last Thursday's practice – and is working, again, to elevate his game.

"I feel like every year it's hard trying to outdo the previous year, but I also feel like that's what makes me, me," Jefferson said, rocking fly shades and a towel on his head. "That's what makes me chase greatness."

EA Sports is set to roll out Madden 26 ratings for NFL rookies Tuesday, and on Wednesday and Thursday will reveal the top-10 players at respective offensive and defensive positions. Full roster ratings will be available by Friday in addition to Superstar X-Factors; Jefferson, last season, had the "Double Me" X-Factor, which increased his success rate on aggressive catches versus single coverage when he entered the zone.

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