Justin Jefferson has become an immediate superstar with the Vikings, but now the former first-round pick is ready to embrace a new role in Minnesota.
In just three seasons, there aren't many things that wide receiver Justin Jefferson hasn't been for the Minnesota Vikings.
Jefferson has been a 1,000-yard receiver three times, a Pro Bowler three times, a First Team All-Pro once, the AP Offensive Player of the Year once, and the NFL's leading receiver once. Things are going quite well for him, obviously, as he's become arguably the best at his position in the league.
But entering the 2023 season, Jefferson is going to play a new role in the Vikings offense, one that's unfamiliar for the 24-year-old. He's going to take on being a mentor to the young receivers in the Minnesota offense, namely rookie Jordan Addison.
Vikings: Justin Jefferson ready to be a mentor for Jordan Addison
In the wake of Addison being charged with reckless driving just before the start of training camp, Jefferson was asked about mentoring the fellow first-round pick for the Vikings. Per Locked on Sports Minnesota (h/t Vikes Insider), he's ready to embrace that new challenge in his career, likening it to what now-Panthers receiver Adam Thielen did for him when he entered the NFL.
"[Thielen] was that person for me that took me under his wing and showed me the ropes and taught me how to be a professional," Jefferson said. "That's that role that I'm playing with him. Anything that he needs, I'm there for him."
Obviously, that's not something a 24-year-old in the league has ever been faced with before. But with Thielen in Carolina and Addison already encountering some off-field trouble, Jefferson isn't shying away from being a leader in the Vikings locker room in the same way as he is on the field. And if we're being honest, Vikings fans are probably hoping that there is some on-field mentoring happening too given how good Jefferson has been and the high hopes for the rookie.
These comments, of course, come while there are talks of a monster extension for Jefferson ongoing. The receiver has made it clear that he's not concerned and is going to keep working and trying to help the Vikings reach their goals. The way he's talking about being a mentor only seems to further that sentiment too.