Record-setting Vikings receiver Jefferson learned his lessons well

Justin Jefferson was unstoppable Sunday.

The Minnesota Vikings receiver is doing things that not even the great Randy Moss accomplished in his time there.

After one of the greatest two-season stretches to begin an NFL career, Jefferson opened Year 3 with a personal-best 184 yards and two touchdowns versus the Packers. But it's no surprise to those closest to him. Take his brother/manager Jordan Jefferson, who played quarterback at LSU from 2008-11.

"It really starts from childhood, just being a student, elevating your football IQ," Jordan Jefferson told theScore on Monday. "Justin had a lot of opportunities to be observant of his older siblings. He spent a lot of time coming to camp - spring, summer, and fall - being around that level of working out.

"He's been in the LSU weight room since he was a kid. Seeing Tyrann (Mathieu) and (Odell Beckham Jr.) going at it in spring ball. He was able to witness these competition battles and understand what it's like in this environment. He's been around Patrick Peterson, my roommate, since my freshman year in 2008, when he was 8, 9 years old."

Aaron Rodgers struggles

Speaking of Minnesota, what happened to Green Bay? Two-time reigning league MVP Aaron Rodgers was shut out of the end zone and visibly frustrated during a 23-7 throttling from the Vikings. Rodgers completed just 22 of 34 passes for 195 yards, and he threw an interception against an NFC North opponent for the first time since December 2019.

But don't hit the panic button just yet, Packers fans. We knew there would be an adjustment period without Davante Adams. All-Pro wide receivers don’t grow on trees. We saw several positives from the rookie duo of Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, who combined for 89 all-purpose yards. Is that great? Hardly. But both showed off their speed and route-running on multiple occasions, even if Watson dropped a surefire TD. Rodgers spread the ball around to nine receivers, one short of his career high.

Perhaps Rodgers won’t be telling fans to relax as he did last year, but one game is not a fair sample size. "He just looked unsettled," a scout told me. "It's gonna take time, but if anyone can figure it out, it's him."

With Adams in the fold, Rodgers had a comfort level of throwing to a spot. It's one thing to have a great receiver, but as several evaluators have told me, when you're in that much of a groove as QB-WR, you don't even think about it. Adams and Rodgers had their own language.

No Tyreek, no problem

Another MVP, Patrick Mahomes, is also dealing with life after his team traded away an All-Pro receiver. Unlike Rodgers, Mahomes looked rejuvenated and sprightly as he dominated the Arizona Cardinals. Just how dominant? How about 30-of-39 for 360 yards and five touchdown passes. Almost as impressive was the fact he completed passes to nine receivers - the most in a regular-season game for him.

"Tyreek was really scary in that offense and you can't replace that speed or even the threat of that speed," an NFL head coach told me. "And they'll miss him, but the tight end (Travis Kelce) is still the best in the league, and nobody schemes offense better than Andy (Reid)."

Could Mahomes be even better this season? It's too early to judge, but it's a scary proposition to consider.

Jordan Schultz is theScore's NFL insider and senior NBA reporter. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.