The Minnesota Vikings finished the season 13-4 and the accolades came in hot and heavy with six Pro Bowl and three All-Pro selections. On Thursday, they got to add another one to the trophy case as wide receiver Justin Jefferson was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
Jefferson becomes the third Viking to win the award with Adrian Peterson (2012) and Fran Tarkenton (1975).
Jefferson ran away with the award and it’s easy to see why. He led the league in both receptions (128) and yards (1,804) while also having eight touchdowns. He won NFC offensive player of the week after his performance against the Buffalo Bills in week 10 where he made arguably the greatest catch in both team and NFL history.
Justin Jefferson with the play of the year pic.twitter.com/XnQC2JGGbh
— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) November 13, 2022
The voting wasn’t even close either, as Jefferson accumulated 35 of the 50 first-place votes with second-place Patrick Mahomes only receiving 10.
Offensive Player of the Year voting:
– Justin Jefferson: 35
– Patrick Mahomes: 10
– Jalen Hurts: 3
– Josh Allen: 1
– Tyreek Hill: 1— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 10, 2023
Jefferson is a finalist for the AP NFL Most Valuable Player later on Thursday night but that award is more likely to go to Mahomes.