Vikings WR Justin Jefferson Sends 4-Word Message as Training Camp Starts

All the pontificating and speculating of the Minnesota Vikings off-season is officially over, and Justin Jefferson is psyched to be there.

The superstar Vikings No. 1 wide receiver offered a quick and exhilarating four-word phrase on the start of training camp.

Minnesota is among the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year if it can stay healthy. The Vikings went 14-3 a season ago yet finished second in the NFC North and lost in the wild-card round to the Los Angeles Rams.

Still, with Jefferson and a loaded offense, plus a talent-laden defense, the Vikings should be excited to get going with the 2025 season.

What Did Justin Jefferson Say On The First Day of Vikings Training Camp?

Jefferson was captured by Vikings social media carrying his helmet and firing Vikings fans up with the perfect phrase.

“The duo is back!” Jefferson animatedly said, referencing himself and WR2 Jordan Addison, as they both walked into the Vikings facility together ahead of the first practice.

That duo is among the best 1-2 receiving punches in the NFL. Jefferson is widely considered the best wideout in football and is coming off another first-team All-Pro campaign where he posted 103 catches for 1,533 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 games.

Addison had 63 catches for 875 yards and nine touchdowns a season ago while playing just 15 games.

Still, Jefferson and Addison are just two of the extraordinarily skilled offensive players in the Vikings facility. They are joined by tight end T.J. Hockenson, running back Aaron Jones, plus high-ceiling wideouts Rondale Moore and Jalen Nailor.

That means the heat is on second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy — who missed the whole 2024 season with a meniscus tear — to make it all work.

What Did Jordan Addison Say On The First Day Of Training Camp?

Jefferson may have brought the fire to the first day of Vikings camp, but coach Kevin O’Connell raved about Addison’s development in the off-season.

“I think he had a tremendous off-season program,” O’Connell said. “He’s come back in great shape, great weight, truly taking his understanding of route running — not only at the top of routes, everyone knows he’s always been a world-class separator — but now he’s really starting to learn nuances of getting off press … and he’s getting to work his craft.

“He’s just getting so comfortable in our system. I’m really happy with the type of work he’s put in. I’m expecting to see a great version of him from Day 1 right now.”

Addison is going to be playing with his third different starting quarterback in as many NFL seasons and his fifth QB in the past five seasons dating back to college. Yet, he addressed his job of making McCarthy feel better.

“It’s on me to make it easy on the quarterback, and how I do that is make sure I’m wide open,” Addison said.

The only real hiccup in Addison’s upcoming season is his looming suspension after he pleaded guilty to DUI. Addison and the Vikings are bracing for a three-game ban as a first-time offender, and he addressed reporters with a good perspective about the case.

“Everything is out of my control right now, so whatever they got for me, I’ll be prepared with whatever decision they make,” Addison said, before adding his goal is to “just get it all behind me and just get on with the season.”

Pat Pickens is an experienced sports writer and media personality who has written for outlets like NHL.com, the Associated Press, the New York Times and USA Today. He covers the NFL, NBA, NHL and NBA as a breaking news contributor at Heavy. More about Pat Pickens