Ja’Marr Chase didn’t hold back when asked about the NFL’s first potential 2,000-yard receiver. He thinks it’s going to happen sooner rather than later, with him and Minnesota Vikings’ star Justin Jefferson holding the best opportunity to seize the historic milestone.
“Me and Justin (Jefferson), of course,” Chase told CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin this week when asked about the most likely wideouts to finally eclipse 2,000 yards, (h/t Bobby Kownack of NFL.com).
The former LSU teammates have climbed to the top of the rankings at their position in just south of a half decade in their professional careers. Chase, now the highest-paid receiver in football, is coming off a monster season with the Cincinnati Bengals — racking up 127 receptions for 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Justin Jefferson Has Already Come Close In His Vikings Career
Before missing time with hamstring injury in 2023, Jefferson was on pace for nearly 1,900 yards. His best season came in 2022, when he finished with 1,809 yards and won Offensive Player of the Year.
If the Vikings offense stays healthy this season — especially at quarterback — Jefferson could make another legitimate run at 2K. He’s been the heart of the team’s passing attack since he became a late Round 1 steal in the 2020 NFL Draft. Not to mention, entered a leadership role as J.J. McCarthy steps in.
Minnesota is firm in its belief that McCarthy will shine as the team’s QB1, despite a dearth of opportunity thus far in the NFL. Jefferson’s generational route-running ability alleviates a lot of the instant pressure, but it’ll be interesting to see what kind of rhythm they form early on.
2,000-Yard Club History
Cooper Kupp technically hit 2,191 receiving yards in his memorable 2021 season with the Los Angeles Rams — but that included playoffs. In terms of regular season numbers, Calvin Johnson still holds the top spot with 1,964 yards in 2012. Kupp maxed out at 1,947 in the regular season that same year he broke records in the postseason.
Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, CeeDee Lamb and now Chase are right behind them on the all-time list.
Looking ahead at both Chase and Jefferson’s current situations with the Bengals and Vikings, there’s a lot to like. However, Chase might have the quarterback edge. Joe Burrow is not only one of the best gunslingers in the game, but he and Chase already share the continuity that Jefferson has yet to develop with McCarthy.
Still, with both receivers coming in fully healthy, it’s difficult to pinpoint one thing that either playmaker does better than the other. They each have a case.
The league has rarely had Chase and Jefferson healthy at the same time, and without having to deal with any outside noise. In particular, Chase’s ongoing contract dispute with the Bengals throughout 2o24.
Now that both are locked into their respective futures with their franchises, the football community can sit back patently. There’s no hesitation in Chase’s words.
These two former teammates, friends, and future Hall-Of-Fame wideouts are prepared to embark on what could potentially become one of the greatest pursuits at history the game has ever seen.
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