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Justin Jefferson is having another stellar season with the Minnesota Vikings. The receiver is among the contestants for the NFL MVP award in 2022. However, he will have to outperform some top-notch quarterbacks in order to claim the title.
Jefferson is currently topping the charts for receiving yards (1,756) ahead of Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs. He is also leading the way in targets, receptions, receptions for first downs, and contested-catch wins.
The 23-year-old has racked up eight touchdowns on 123 receptions through the air. He also has 24 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground across 15 games.
He is also just 209 yards behind the NFL receiving yards record in a single season. The three-time Pro Bowler can write his name into the league's history books in the Vikings' next two games against the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears.
The NFL MVP award has been deemed a 'Quarterback award' in recent years. The last non-quarterback to win the honor was Vikings running back Adrian Peterson in 2012.
Justin Jefferson competing against top QBs for MVP award in 2022
Although quarterbacks are inherently more valuable than any other position on the field, Justin Jefferson is making a case for winning the award this year. As things stand, the wideout is behind the likes of Patrick Mahomes, followed by Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Jalen Hurts in the race.
Moreover, with just two more weeks of regular season football remaining, it may be difficult for him to swoop ahead of the leading quarterbacks.
Jefferson is having the best season of his NFL career so far. He has arguably been the most valuable member of the Vikings this season. From a statistical perspective, Jefferson appears to tick all the boxes for a genuine MVP candidate as a receiver.
In the case that Minnesota's star wideout claims the award, he'll be the first wide receiver to do so in the league's existence.
