Apparently, setting up one of the biggest rookie seasons in NFL history as a wide receiver was not enough for people who voted for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
At the NFL tribute ceremony tonight, it was announced that the Offensive Rookie of the Year award no go to Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, but instead of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
Jefferson, as we know, set the Super Bowl era record for receiving yards in a season up to 1,400 yards, although he was the fifth receiver taken in the 2020 NFL Draft and was tasked with replacing another excellent receiver in Stefon Diggs. This 1,400 yard season is the highest for any member of the Vikings not named Randy Moss in any season, and was the fourth highest total in the NFL this year.
It is not the fourth best among newbies. Fourth largest among all.
Jefferson was also nominated for the All-Rookie Team and, as far as I know, was the only newcomer to be nominated for any of the NFL All-Pro Team this season, earning second team honors. He was also the first rookie wide receiver to be named an All-Pro since that Moss guy did in 1998.
But anyway. He’s not a defender, so I think all the numbers and records in the world don’t matter.
I think Justin Jefferson is going to have to go out and be even better than he was this season in 2021.