Justin Jefferson
FILE -Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022 in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms on a new contract with cornerback Patrick Peterson. This is another step toward stabilizing a problematic position. The 31-year-old Peterson had a solid first season with the Vikings in 2021. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)
Backed into a corner: Vikings enter draft needing coverage

By Dave Campbell Apr. 22, 2022 07:45 PM EDT

AFC cornerback Denzel Ward (21), of the Cleveland Browns, right, breaks up a pass intended for NFC wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18), of the Minnesota Vikings, during the first half of the Pro Bowl NFL football game, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Vikings' Justin Jefferson excited about new head coach

By Rob Maaddi Feb. 09, 2022 01:31 PM EST

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy, left, talks with Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, right, before an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings 1/9/2022

Jan. 09, 2022 12:33 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) hands off the ball to running back Tony Pollard (20) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Cowboys, Eagles gear up for playoffs with little at stake

By Les Bowen Jan. 06, 2022 12:43 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings' Nate Stanley runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
With Kirk Cousins out, Vikings' playoff hopes disintegrate

By Steve Megargee Jan. 02, 2022 11:44 PM EST

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) hugs Joe Mixon (28) following a catch by Mixon during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Chiefs seek AFC playoff bye, Bengals chasing North title

By Barry Wilner Dec. 30, 2021 07:29 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (25) runs from Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Troy Reeder (51) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Vikings, minus QB Cousins, look to beat Packers again

By Steve Megargee Dec. 30, 2021 03:02 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams' Brandon Powell flips into the end zone during a 61-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Punt return TD sparks Rams in playoff-clinch win vs. Vikings

By Dave Campbell Dec. 26, 2021 04:44 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings 12/26/2021

Dec. 26, 2021 01:37 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys' Trevon Diggs (7) celebrates intercepting a pass thrown by Washington Football Team's Taylor Heinicke in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
The Latest: Washington brings benches, just as Cowboys did

By The Associated Press Dec. 26, 2021 11:58 AM EST

Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) reacts after grabbing an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Not much for certain playoffs wise as NFL enters Week 16

By Barry Wilner Dec. 23, 2021 11:59 PM EST

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) passes between Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) and defensive end D.J. Wonnum during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Hard-to-figure Vikings still trudging ahead in playoff chase

By Dave Campbell Dec. 21, 2021 06:58 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins walks out onto the field before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears 12/20/2021

Dec. 20, 2021 07:01 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf stands on the field before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings 12/9/2021

Dec. 09, 2021 08:13 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus (44) reacts after the Detroit Lions won the game with a last second touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Steelers and Vikings: 2 mystery teams go at it in prime time

By Barry Wilner Dec. 08, 2021 02:11 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates his touchdown with teammate wide receiver K.J. Osborn (17) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Vikings leaning hard on Jefferson in quest to save season

By Brian Hall Dec. 07, 2021 08:37 PM EST

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker sports an Oxford decal, honoring the students killed at the high school this week, during pregame of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions 12/5/2021

Dec. 05, 2021 01:01 PM EST

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh works the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The Latest: Kickers had 7 missed XPs in afternoon games

By The Associated Press Dec. 05, 2021 11:55 AM EST

An injured Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) is helped by head coach Sean McDermott, right, and medical staff in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Robert Griffin III still has designs on playing in NFL

By The Associated Press Dec. 03, 2021 12:22 PM EST

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Lions, Vikings both desperate for win for different reasons

By The Associated Press Dec. 02, 2021 11:09 AM EST