Moss, who received five of his six Pro Bowl career nods while with the Vikings, asked Jefferson about his way of thinking as a rookie, especially during a season changed by the pandemic.
The main focus was, ‘Will I be that versatile receiver? Can I play outside, play inside, get off the press?’ So there were a lot of questions coming into the season, and especially when I came to replace Stefon Diggs, I was under a lot of pressure, ”said Jefferson. “But I just really focused on myself. I wanted to focus on myself, to be the best version of myself. I just have the extra work, the extra time, and I just have a great season.”
Before Moss’s interview with Jefferson ended, Ponder revealed a surprise. She picked up the pair of cleats that Jefferson had custom painted with likenesses of himself and Moss for the Minnesota season finale in Detroit.
“You said you were trying to sign them, right?” Ponder said. “Well, I love to make dreams come true.”
As Moss signed the nose of the yellow cleat, he told Jefferson:
‘I saw you give me some love, and I immediately started to smile. I said, ‘Man, I have to sign them. ‘Since I got in [the league] in 1998 there hasn’t been a rookie since [to put up those numbers], and when I say I’m happy – I’m happy for you, I’m happy for the Vikings organization. … Justin, I’m proud of you. My Rookie of the Year. “