Justin Jefferson Stuns NFL with Record-Breaking Performance—How the Vikings Star’s Historic Night Changes the 2025 Season

LEAD Minnesota Vikings superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson is trending again as Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season approaches. Fresh off reclaiming a top-10 spot on the NFL’s Top 100 list and shaking off a preseason hamstring scare, the All-Pro pass catcher is set to headline Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears. JEFFERSON’S HAMSTRING: CLEARED FOR KICKOFF Team officials and multiple reports confirm Jefferson is on track to start after the club managed his reps throughout August. The Vikings labeled the strain minor, opting for caution rather than rushing him back. Jefferson practiced without limitations late last week and was absent from Minnesota’s final injury report, all but locking him in for prime time. IMPACT ON FANTASY FOOTBALL ROSTERS With Jefferson active, fantasy managers can confidently pencil the 25-year-old into WR1 slots. Should a late setback occur, stash options include teammate Jalen Nailor or veteran Adam Thielen, while Bears rookie Luther Burden offers a deeper-league pivot. Expect heavy targets for Jefferson against a Chicago secondary that surrendered the NFL’s third-highest yards per attempt to wide receivers last year. TOP 100 ACCOLADE CAPS BOUNCE-BACK YEAR Peer voting placed Jefferson at No. 9 on the NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2025 list, up from No. 18 a season ago. The ranking follows a dominant 2024 campaign—103 receptions, 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns—after his injury-marred 2023 season. He now owns 7,432 career receiving yards, the most in league history through a player’s first five years. WHAT JEFFERSON MEANS FOR MINNESOTA’S OFFENSE New quarterback J.J. McCarthy debuts Monday, and Jefferson’s presence is critical for the rookie. Expect head coach Kevin O’Connell to script quick-hitting slants and deep play-action shots to exploit single coverage. If Chicago rolls safety help, look for T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison to feast underneath. UP NEXT After the Bears, the Vikings face the Colts and Packers—two secondaries ranked bottom-10 versus the pass in 2024—giving Jefferson a favorable runway to launch another record-chasing season. Keep monitoring weekly practice reports, but all signs point to the league’s most electric receiver being full-go when the lights come on in Chicago.