Justin Jefferson now has the most receiving yards by a wide receiver in the first two NFL seasons. The Minnesota Vikings star surpassed Odell Beckham Jr to achieve the feat when his side locked horns with the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. 

Days after being named  to his second straight Pro Bowl, 22-year-old Jefferson has another record under his belt. With a nine-yard catch in the third quarter in the Week 16 game against the Rams, he pipped OBJ’s record of 2,755 receiving yards in his first two seasons in the league. Odell Beckham Jr., who represents Los Angeles, had achieved in 2014 and 2015 with the New York Giants.

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Coming into the game at the at US Bank Stadium, Jefferson needed just 21 yards to surpass Beckham’s record . He totaled 14 yards on two catches in the first half.

Jefferson also set another record as he passed Randy Moss for the most receiving yards through any Vikings player’s first two seasons in the league. 

Moss, on the sideline, and Beckham, playing for the Rams, witnessed the accolade in person in Chicago. 

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Justin Jefferson showed his respect to Beckham by wearing a T-shirt with his image on it in pregame warmups. The Rams WR also paid tribute by wearing pictures of Jefferson on his own T-shirt before the game.

Justin Jefferson had set a Super Bowl-era rookie record in 2020 by registering 1,400 receiving yards. In 2021, he entered Week 16 with 1,335 receiving yards – the second-most in the league.

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“It’s going to mean a lot. I remember last year I was talking to him right before I broke the receiving record last year. It’s going to be exciting to top his name again. The connection we have together, it’s definitely an honor to be listed with the greats that are up there,” Jefferson said last week.

“I’m excited. I feel like I live for these moments, ever since I was a kid. Just going up against that top guy, I’m a natural competitor. I’ve been a competitor since I was playing in the backyard with my family. I’m ready for the game, I been having it circled for a long time. To me, it’s a statement game for me considering myself one of the top receivers in the league and solidifying myself. Definitely ready for it.”