Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings will soon take the field for training camp as they prepare for the 2025 NFL season. They now know both their opponents and when each of those games will take place. Justin Jefferson will quickly focus on developing a level of rapport with new signal caller J.J. McCarthy.
That doesn’t mean the best wide receiver in football isn’t interested in elevating his platform. The NFL is already America’s largest global game. The additional of flag football to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles can only grow the game further.
It’s uncertain how willing franchises will be to let their highly-paid stars compete outside of their contractual agreements, but you can bet many would love the opportunity.
Minnesota Vikings Justin Jefferson wants a gold medal
The Minnesota Vikings handed Justin Jefferson a four-year, $140 million extension prior to last season. He was worth every penny of that and is already arguably underpaid. It’s also a reason the team may be nervous about letting their star compete in flag football, but he certainly wants to.
“To think about the chance of playing in the Olympics and getting a gold medal, it’s a dream.”@NFLFLAG ambassador Justin Jefferson shares his excitement for Flag Football joining the 2028 Olympics in LA! @jjettas2 pic.twitter.com/v0gUfZtNRP
— NFL (@NFL) May 20, 2025
Last season Jefferson put up 1,533 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns for the Minnesota Vikings. He has surpassed 1,000 yards in each of his first five NFL seasons. That includes a 2023 campaign where he played in parts of just 10 games.
No wide receiver in NFL history has ever been better than Jefferson’s 96.5 yards per game tally. He is a two time 1st-team All-Pro, and has won the AP Offensive Player of the Year. At 25 years old, he’s already one of the best to ever play the game.
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In 2028 Jefferson will be 28 years old. He will be in the final year of the recently signed extension with Minnesota, and likely looking for a longer term commitment. NFL owners recently voted to permit active players the opportunity to participate in the Olympics. It remains to be seen how willing they will be when the rubber meets the road.
Statement from Scott Hallenbeck, CEO and Executive Director of USA Football:
“On behalf of USA Football, I’d like to thank NFL clubs for approving the resolution allowing NFL players to participate in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles when flag football debuts on the…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 20, 2025
Ideally by the time Jefferson and the Vikings have to make a determination on his Olympics participation the pairing will have a Super Bowl ring or two. Either way though, Jefferson is likely to still be a key cog in the Minnesota Vikings offense and they won’t want to lose him off the field.
The NFL currently parades around a flag football contest during the Pro Bowl Games. It’s almost sillier than the two hand touch that used to be played in pads. With the Olympics hosting the event the level of desire would seemingly be heightened.
36 year old austrian mechanic guarding justin jefferson pic.twitter.com/e0G9KncI4Y https://t.co/rZuVVAxHuk
— gcb! (@GCBee7) October 19, 2023
Then again, assuming any other nation would compete with the United States in a sport like flag football is relatively comical. Maybe J.J. McCarthy participates too and the Vikings just use it as light work for early throwing drills.
Mentioned in this article: Justin Jefferson Olympics More About:Minnesota Vikings