Justin Jefferson is that guy. Jordan Addison was that guy in college, and is flashing potential to dominate games in the NFL, as well. Even Jalen Nailor stepped up early this season as that guy for the 5-0 Vikings.

The play is a testament to the leadership and insight issued by wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell.

Alec Lewis of The Athletic spotlighted McCardell on Tuesday as an unheralded figure in the club's undefeated start. His wealth of knowledge from a 17-year playing career is key to the offense's success.

Lewis shared McCardell's overarching rule for his players: Be open. Wide open. Every play. I don't care. Just be open.

Failure to do so irritates McCardell's pet peeve.

This pet peeve is worth mentioning now for a reason. Before the Vikings bye week, they played the New York Jets. Minnesota entered the game with the fourth-highest average separation in the NFL. But on that Sunday in London, the Jets limited the Vikings to their lowest average amount of separation in a game all season, according to Next Gen Stats. Taking things a step further, superstar receiver Justin Jefferson's average separation was his lowest in a game since 2022.

From the outside, this seems like impressive work from the Jets. They're the types of metrics that make you say, 'Fortunately for Minnesota, Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed won't be lurking each weekend.'

But internally? McCardell will be doing what he always does after performances like this one: exhausting the pet peeve, stressing accountability. It's the correct strategy for a receivers coach, especially with a game approaching against a Detroit Lions defense that is aggressive and similarly willing to play man coverage. It's also an approach that could fall on deaf ears if not for the trust McCardell has garnered from these players.

McCardell relates to the rewarding moments – he ledgered five 1,000-yard seasons; he earned two Pro Bowl invitations and caught a pair of touchdowns in Super Bowl XXXVII – and the learning opportunities.

He made headlines for holdouts and used those experiences as a guide in conversations with Jefferson. He was cut later in his career and has often been a voice for receivers like Trishton Jackson who have bounced between practice squad and roster but continued to show up and improve.

In essence, he's lived what it's like to be that guy, so when he speaks, the Vikings wide receivers listen.

"To have a coach who has actually been there and done it," Jefferson said, "you listen to him a little bit extra when he's saying something."

The attention spreads through the rest of the building. McCardell's words and vision for Minnesota's wide receivers room are trusted. That's partly why it's full of players capable of being that guy.

Read Lewis' complete article, which delves more into the construction of McCardell's room, here.

Vikings free-agent class gets flowers

The world has observed the instant impact of Minnesota’s veteran newcomers.

Last Friday, NFL.com pronounced the 10 best offseason acquisitions based upon their performances so far, and Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold and outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard ranked Nos. 2 and 6.

On the 27-year-old passer, who is changing his career narrative on a one-year, $10 million contract, Tom Blair wrote:

Maybe the universe is giving him his karmic reward now, because it doesn't seem like Darnold could be in a better place at a better time than Minnesota under Kevin O'Connell in 2024.

The stats don't lie. Coming off the Week 6 bye, Darnold is fourth in the NFL with 11 touchdowns passing and sixth in passer rating (103.4). He's averaging career bests in completion rate (63.5%), TD percentage (8.0%), adjusted yards gained per attempt (8.40), as well as ESPN's total quarterback rating (QBR) at 59.6.

The game tape doesn't lie, either.

Darnold is showing a mastery of O'Connell's system in the beginning of games – in one fewer appearance, he's tied with Arizona's Kyler Murray and Buffalo's Josh Allen for the second-most first-half passing TDs this season (7); Tampa Bay's Baker Mayfield has 10 – and displaying resilience in crucial moments, picking up must-have first downs with his arm or legs.

The surrounding talent – from Jefferson's superpowers to Brian Flores' innovative genius – is helpful.

Darnold's not being asked to make up for a bottom-of-the-barrel defense. He doesn't have to attempt moving the ball with an over-the-hill back or a talent-deficient receiving corps. How refreshing it must be to throw passes to Jefferson, then watch Flores make the other QB wish he were someplace else.

Incredibly, the impact by Vikings free agents has even been more apparent across the ball.

Darnold got the nod over Aaron Jones, Sr., to represent Minnesota's offense; figuring out whom to highlight from Flores' defense was a tougher task. Blake Cashman leads the team in tackles and is tied for first in passes defensed. Andrew Van Ginkel does everything (19 tackles, including three for loss, and two pick-sixes). Stephon Gilmore helped hold off the Jets last week. I'm rolling with Greenard because he ranks fifth in the NFL in pressures (26) and boasts one of the faster average get-offs (0.78 seconds).

Pro Football Focus credits Greenard with the fourth-most pressures (29), for what it's worth. No matter the stat source, it's abundantly clear the 27-year-old is emerging as one of football's top game-wreckers.

He's dependable and versatile, too, leading Vikings front-seven players with a 75% share of defensive snaps and is able to rush off the edge or align head-up to offensive tackles and win on inside rushes with agility and effort.

Blair mentions it's a bonus Greenard is younger and more affordable – on a four-year, $76 million deal – than former Vikings star Danielle Hunter, who is 29 and signed a two-year, $49 million pact with Houston.

FYI, division rival Green Bay is the only other team with two representatives on the free-agent hierarchy. Packers safety Xavier McKinney was tabbed the No. 4 acquisition and backup QB Malik Willis the No. 10. Willis was acquired via trade with Tennessee on Aug. 27 and went 2-0 while filling in for Jordan Love.

Check out the entire ranking, which also features an accomplished long-time Viking in new threads, here.