If there was any doubt, put it to rest.
Thirty-eight quarterbacks across the NFL – a good mix of veterans and rookies, Pro Bowlers and backups, former first-round picks and undrafted players – anonymously answered questions about their peers in a quick exercise compiled by FOX Sports. Topics included superlatives, would-you-rathers and one open-ended question.
The one we care about: If you could have one NFL receiver to throw to, who would it be?
There was never a doubt.
Vikings star Justin Jefferson received the lion's share of votes, besting Miami's Tyreek Hill 14-9.
Jefferson played in 10 games in 2023, the fewest in his career, but ripped off his fourth straight season of 1,000+ receiving yards on the back of a career-best 107.4 yards per contest. He's played 60 games and needs 101 yards to pass Hall of Famer Lance Alworth as the fastest to 6,000 receiving yards (Alworth reached the mark in his 62nd game).
Who better to judge which NFL receiver is the best than a crop of quarterbacks, right?
Seven others garnered votes from the QB panel: four for former Packer and current Raider Davante Adams; two each for Ja'Marr Chase of the Bengals, Cooper Kupp of the Rams and CeeDee Lamb of the Cowboys; one for Philadelphia's A.J. Brown, Tampa Bay's Mike Evans and Chicago's DJ Moore.
One other leader of the Vikings appeared on the survey. Head Coach Kevin O'Connell earned a single vote in response to: Which NFL coach has the best offensive mind? San Francisco's Kyle Shanahan got 12.
Check out the article here.
View photos from the Vikings practice on Sept. 2 at the TCO Performance Center.
Aaron Jones, Sr., wakes up with GMFB
Good Morning Football played a video montage of Mic'd Up moments of Aaron Jones, Sr., during Vikings training camp practice at the open of its interview this week with the one-time rival running back.
Jones on Wednesday joined the GMFB crew from the Vikings indoor practice facility and was jokingly introduced as "not just a guest" but a co-host of the show because of his many appearances.
Early in the interview, Jamie Erdahl asked Jones to bring out the purple sombrero that was gifted to him by his new organization.
"It really warmed my heart [when I received it]," Jones said with a smile. "I'm like, 'They understand me. They get me. They know where I'm from. It just made it feel like this is the right place. It reassured me."
Jones fielded several questions about his exciting career in Green Bay, including some of what factored into his leave – "knowing my worth" – and how it will feel Week 4 when the Vikings visit Lambeau Field.
Then the really good stuff.
Jones told Peter Schrager that Minnesota is right where it wants to be, "with nobody talking about us." The three-time 1,000-yard rusher explained it's a position he faced in Green Bay last season – and the Packers advanced to the NFC Divisional Round. Jones said the Vikings have all the weapons they need.
"We're just going to make sure that when we step on the field … you guys have good things to say about us and that carries on throughout the season," Jones said. "Eventually they will be talking about us."
Look back at photos over the course of time featuring games between the Vikings and the Giants.
The big number was addressed, too.
On Monday, the 29-year-old told local media he feels like he can play eight more years. That would have him in the league at 37. For what it's worth, Taiwan Jones was the oldest RB in the NFL in 2023, appearing in two games for the Giants at 35. Jones' age is the historical point of decline at his position.
But his body feels great and his preventive care with the Vikings training staff makes him optimistic.
"I don't have as much wear and tear as some of the other backs when it comes to the number of carries. I feel like I'm significantly under the career totals of some of those guys, even if you include college," said Jones, reexamining his hopeful outlook. "I want to play until I'm like 40 if I can. Until they kick me out!"
Jones' point on wear and tear is valid. His highest carry total in a season is 236 in 2019. He's rushed fewer than 150 times in three out of seven campaigns. He is tied for 10th in NFL annals with 5.0 yards per rush.
At the tail end of the interview, there was a fun play breakdown. Different sport, though. Jones gave the deets on his first pitch at Target Field back in May. He said he laid off the heat and managed a strike.
"I just wanted to make sure I got it to the plate, so I didn't end up on any bloopers or worst first pitches of all-time," Jones said. "If somebody was up there to hit it, it definitely would've went out of the park."