Kevin O’Connell felt he had his new starter prepared for action. McCarthy himself gets dialed in on a weekly basis. That didn’t stop the Michigan product from needing more than three quarters to find the end zone.

Once he did though, oh boy did it come in a big way. Hall of Famer Randy Moss spoke it into existence too.

Randy Moss calls JJ to J.J. for Minnesota Vikings touchdown

Things did not go well for the Minnesota Vikings in the first half. They trailed 10-6 and looked worse than the field itself. Chicago added seven points in the third quarter and things looked dire. Then he hooked up for his first career touchdown and Randy Moss spoke it into existence.

Randy Moss called his shot: pic.twitter.com/rjQG0jz9WK

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 9, 2025

“Well, I’m going with Justin Jefferson. You’re down 11, with 12 minutes to go. It’s time to get the playmakers the ball. Down here in the red zone, there he is, don’t show anymore on the screen. Let’s get “18” the ball this drive right here. Definitely.”

Randy Moss- ESPN

Talking to Peyton and Eli Manning on ESPN’s Manningcast, Moss made his prediction. They wanted his assessment for the Prediction Panel, and it was Moss’ image that got slapped on the Perfect Prediction Panel.

It wasn’t the easiest night for Jefferson. He has a couple of key drops, and the connection was not immediately smooth with his new starting quarterback. He finished hauling in four-of-seven targets for 44 yards and a touchdown.

Related: Vikings Defense Extra Confident Entering Matchup vs Caleb Williams, Bears Offense

The 44 yards were tied for a team-high with running back Aaron Jones. McCarthy went 13-of-20 with 143 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He worked all the way back from an early pick-six and lead Minnesota to a victory.

Minnesota has plenty to work on, and there’s now injury concerns for Blake Cashman (who left the game and did not return), but the return home with a Week 1 win. The Vikings will play in primetime again in Week 2 as they square off against the Atlanta Falcons for Sunday Night Football.

Now positioned to compete at a high level, expectations are through the roof. The hope would be that analysts and broadcasters get on board to prop them up as well.

Former wide receiver, and member of the National Football League Hall of Fame, Randy Moss was also part of the offseason news. He was diagnosed with cancer and that sent shockwaves through the fanbase. Thankfully the latest news is positive.

Randy Moss is cancer free

Cancer takes no sides and seems to take no prisoners. It’s an awful disease that attacks the body everywhere and impacts so many. Minnesota Vikings legend Randy Moss was in a fight for his life, and the latest update says it’s finally over.

As has become customary with cancer treatments, a ringing of the bell suggests the wicked witch is dead. Nathaniel Puente of Charlotte NBC affiliate WCNC shared the news.

“I want to thank everybody at this hospital for welcoming me to be a part of their family.”

Randy Moss – WCNC

Treated at Atrium Health, Moss overcame his cancer diagnosis and puts the life-threatening condition behind him. The bell-ringing ceremony was certainly impactful, but it could have been the perfect moment to pull off a “You got Mossed” moment on the implement.

At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is that Moss is healthy for himself and family moving forward. The 14-year veteran spent eight years with the Minnesota Vikings. He retired with 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns to his credit.

Related: It’s Pretty Much a Contract Year for One Key Vikings Pass-Catcher

Moss remains an analyst on Sunday NFL Countdown and will continue to be an integral part of ESPN’s football programming.

The Minnesota Vikings take on the Chicago Bears on Monday September 8 to start their 2025 regular season. The primetime matchup will be the NFL debut of J.J. McCarthy.

And when you turn on ESPN on Monday evenings this fall, a Vikings GOAT will be back on your screen. After announcing that he is cancer free, legendary wide receiver Randy Moss is returning to set of Monday Night Countdown at the start of this season.

In order to announce his clean bill of health and his return to TV, Moss has been doing a few media rounds the last couple days, including a recent interview with TMZ Sports. During his virtual sit-down, the MN Vikings legend was asked if current Vikings superstar Justin Jefferson is on pace to be one of the greatest wide receivers of all time.

MN Vikings legend weighs in on Justin Jefferson’s GOAT trajectory

The headline making the rounds Saturday, after the Moss + Jefferson clip surfaced, is from a quote near the end of Moss’ interview, where he does say that Justin “is on pace to be arguably the greatest ever”.

“I think Justin Jefferson is on pace to be arguably the greatest ever and definitely the greatest Viking to ever do it.”

– 🐐 @RandyMoss on Vikings Superstar WR Justin Jefferson.

High praise from one of the very best to ever do it.

🎥 @TMZ_Sports pic.twitter.com/IClvHqv52M

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) July 12, 2025

But before Moss got around to the quote that our friends at The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol on X) have captioned for the video above, the MN Vikings legend started his answer with a very important important qualifier.

In order for him to consider Justin Jefferson as the greatest wide receiver in either Minnesota Vikings or NFL history, he needs more from the 25-year-old out of LSU. More what, you ask? More touchdowns.

Should he find a way to start scoring more often, it’s then that Moss has no doubt Justin Jefferson will be a major factor in the “greatest of all-time” wide receiver conversations in no time.

“First of all, I’m a big fan of Justin’s and the reason why is because I’ve always been a fan of a complete football player where you can score from anywhere on the field, and Justin brings that to the table.

I think when you look at the overall picture of how they changed the game, you take less runs out of the game so you’re throwing the ball [more]. For him to go down as the greatest Vikings and arguably the greatest wide receiver to ever do it, I think I need to see more of Justin getting in that box.”

Randy Moss – via TMZ Sports

Related: Adrian Peterson Taking His Bar Fight to the Boxing Ring

Moss wasn’t finished yet, and the rest of his quote is posted below, along with the headline many of you have probably seen elsewhere by now. But first, let’s take a look at Justin Jefferson’s numbers, in order to see if Randy has a point. And at first glance, sure enough, it’s Jettas’ 7,432 career receiving yards that immediately stand out.

To add some context to that massive statistic, consider how Jefferson has only played in 77 games during his 5-year NFL career. For those non-mathematicians out there, that’s an average of 96.5 receiving yards per game, the highest yard-per-game receiving average in NFL history.

1 minute of Justin Jefferson COOKING opposing DB’s 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/mpJTT2Ge0Z

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) July 3, 2025

Does Justin Jefferson need to get in the endzone more often?

But just as Moss noted, touchdowns have been harder to come by, for Justin Jefferson. Since he arrived in the league five seasons ago, the former 1st round pick has found paydirt through the air just 40 times.

In fact, only twice in Jefferson’s Hall of Fame trajectory NFL start has he ever posted double-digit touchdowns in a season, catching exactly 10 touchdowns in both 2021 and 2024.

For comparison purposes, Randy Moss caught 17 touchdowns in his rookie season (1998), which led the league, something Moss did a total of five times during his 14 year HOF career. So pile up the yards all you want, young buck… but you need to score to win.

“I think, at our position, it’s not about the yards. The yards are what gets you the likes and the hearts and all that. But if you really want to be legendary, and this is speaking for all wide receivers, not just Justin Jefferson, you’ve gotta find ways to get the ball in that endzone and bring the fans in the stands up out of their seats.

But to answer you question, I think Justin Jefferson is on pace to be the greatest ever, and definitely the greatest Viking to ever do it.”

Randy Moss – via TMZ Sports

Randy Moss was a TD machine with/without Minnesota Vikings

The 23 touchdowns Randy caught from Tom Brady, as a Patriot in 2007, are three more than Justin caught in 2020, 2022 and 2023 combined (20). Through Moss’ first five NFL seasons (80 games), he caught 60 total touchdowns, 20 more than Justin Jefferson has so far during his career.

Nobody could outsmart Randy Moss on the field.

🎥: NFL pic.twitter.com/eLx5gD6qBv

— SleeperVikings (@SleeperVikings) June 30, 2025

Related: Minnesota Vikings Latest Valuation is Astonishing

During his 113 total games as a Viking, which were spread across eight different seasons, Randy Moss caught 92 total TDs wearing purple. At his current pace, Jefferson would have to 178 games as a member of the Minnesota Vikings, in order to surpass 92 receiving touchdowns, or almost all of the next six seasons.

Unless Jefferson can start getting in the endzone more often, he’ll need a clean bill of health and incredible amount of longevity during the remainder of his professional football career, if he wants to get into those GOAT conversations, though Moss admits he’s currently on that trajectory right now, even without the TDs.

Former Minnesota Vikings legend Randy Moss has become a mainstay on Sunday NFL Countdown. The “You got Mossed” segment is something that has become a defining factor when wideouts make catches on Sunday.

Unfortunately he was diagnosed with cancer last season and forced to leave the set. Thankfully the NFL legend is in a good place now.

Randy Moss headed back to Sunday NFL Countdown

Last season Randy Moss missed the final two months of the season after his cancer diagnosis. He made an emotional return in February, and the good news is that he’ll be there to stay this season.

After being forced to miss the final two months of last year due to a cancer diagnosis, ESPN expects Hall of Fame WR Randy Moss to return to a full-time role on “Sunday NFL Countdown,” the network confirmed to @AndrewMarchand.

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 1, 2025

“Randy’s return on Super Bowl Sunday was an emotional lift — not just for our team but for the entire football community — and knowing he will resume his full ‘Sunday NFL Countdown’ schedule, beginning in Week 1, has been the highlight of the offseason.”

The Athletic

Moss will return for his 10th year with ESPN and he appears to be in good health. His emotional diagnosis was shared via Instagram, and Minnesota Vikings fans everywhere felt for him.

As a player Moss is a Hall of Famer with six Pro Bowl appearances and four All-Pro selections under his belt. He hauled in 15,292 yards worth of passes and recorded 156 touchdowns while leading the league five separate times.

Related: Kirk Cousins Has Entered a New Hall of Fame

Moss has developed into a great media personality both from a former player perspective, and his ability to connect with the current game. Vikings fans will always assimilate him to the purple uniform he wore for eight seasons.

It’s beyond exciting that the legendary 48-year-old has a bill of health clean enough to return to his longstanding role with ESPN. Here’s to hoping the 2025 Minnesota Vikings will be a regular talking point for him.

That means NFL fans who are 49 and younger have never witnessed the Vikings play in a Super Bowl. We’ve still had our fair share of success, however. In fact, the Vikings are far and away the most successful organization in NFL history to never win a ring.

Th Ravens have the third-best franchise winning percentage in the Super Bowl Era. pic.twitter.com/A2iTSChSq1

— Ravens Nation 𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙀 (@LIVERavenNation) June 14, 2024

A glance around the Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor will quickly shed light on just how much talent has gone through this organization during it’s storied history.

Four Minnesota Vikings make All Quarter Century Team

But some Vikings greats rise above even their ROH cohorts. Players throughout the team’s history who are seen as some of the greatest of all time; not just in Minnesota, but league-wide.

This week, ESPN paid homage to the first 25 years of the 21st century by creating an NFL All-Quarter Century Team. Four Minnesota Vikings players made the list, including one current Viking, Justin Jefferson, who only played in a fifth of the seasons being judged.

Justin Jefferson – Wide Receiver

Of the six wide receivers selected to ESPN’s All Quarter Century Team, Jefferson is the only active player (but not the only Viking). Justin has had the best start to a career of any wide receiver ever, but it’s still incredibly impressive to make this list, just based on how much time he had to do it.

“Jefferson has played only five NFL seasons, but what amazing seasons they have been. When he won the Offensive Player of the Year award in 2022, he was No. 1 in receptions, yards and DYAR. He ranked in the top three for DYAR in three of his other seasons (2020, 2021 and 2024), with at least 1,400 receiving yards in each of them. The only exception is 2023, when he played only 10 games because of injury but still managed to top 1,000 yards.”

Aaron Schatz – ESPN

JUSTIN JEFFERSON WITH THE CATCH OF HIS LIFE 😱

(via @Vikings) pic.twitter.com/nq86h630tO

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 13, 2022

This season, the Minnesota Vikings will take the field looking to improve upon a 14-win campaign. J.J. McCarthy is under center as the starting quarterback, and recently extended general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has supplied him with plenty of new talent. But his most lethal weapon remains Justin Jefferson.

The Vikings landed Jefferson with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. His career 96.5 yards per game is an all-time NFL record. He has surpassed 1,000 yards in each of his first five professional seasons and led the league in 2022 with 1,089 yards.

Randy Moss – Wide Receiver

Of course, if Justin Jefferson is going to make the team, then you knew Randy Moss would be on there too. Moss is the most talented wide receiver to ever play the position and one of the most productive in NFL history too.

By the time Moss hung up his cleats he had collected 15,292 receiving yards, 156 touchdowns on 982 receptions. As a Viking, he caught 587 passes, 9,316 yards and 92 touchdowns.

“The greatest receiver of the 21st century based on the eye test, Moss also dominated in advanced metrics. He set the NFL record with 23 receiving touchdowns in 2007, a season that ranks third all-time in DYAR.

Moss ranked No. 1 in receiving DYAR three times: 2000, 2003 and 2007. In each of those seasons, he had at least 1,400 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. He is also the leader in total receiving value by DYAR whether you add together a player’s top five seasons or top 10 seasons since 2000. Plus, he’s a legend of the podium interview.”

Aaron Schatz – ESPN

On Thanksgiving 20 years ago, a rookie named Randy Moss cooked the Cowboys:

3 rec
163 yds
3 TDs

(via @nflthrowback)https://t.co/mX6EiNrpVJ

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 22, 2018

Immediately after he was drafted in 1998, Randy Moss changed the game of football and put the Minnesota Vikings back on the map. The NFL Hall of Famer led the league in receiving touchdowns five different times, including his 23-touchdown output with the New England Patriots in 2007.

Steve Hutchinson – Left Guard

The Seattle Seahawks made Steve Hutchinson the 17th overall pick in 2001, but it was the Minnesota Vikings that adored him as a superstar. After 68 games in Seattle, Hutchinson signed with the Vikings and started 89 games with Minnesota over the course of six seasons.

“Hutchinson made the Pro Bowl every year from 2003 through 2009 and helped lead the 2005 Seahawks to Super Bowl XL, along with Walter Jones. There were a number of relatively equal, strong left guards to choose from, but we went with Hutchinson over Joel Bitonio, Logan Mankins and Quenton Nelson. His impact on the NFL also stretches past the field, as he was part of a deal that led to a rule change about contracts after the “poison pill” that kept Seattle from matching the contract he signed with Minnesota in 2006.”

Aaron Schatz – ESPN

Hutchinson became a mainstay for the Minnesota offensive line and added three more first-team All-Pro selections to the two he generated with the Seahawks. He was a second-team All-Pro during his first season with Minnesota and ripped off a stretch of seven-straight Pro Bowl selections from 2003-2009.

This season the Minnesota Vikings have addressed their offensive line like nothing in recent memory. The tandem of Donovan Jackson and Will Fries would love to generate a Hutchinson level of production.

Jared Allen – EDGE Rusher

The Minnesota Vikings have one of their best edge rush pairings in recent memory returning this season, in Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. Before them, it was Danielle Hunter and Brian Robison.

But from 2008-2013, no Viking got after opposing quarterbacks quite like Jared Allen, something that was reiterated by him making this All Quarter Century Team.

“Allen’s peak was incredibly strong, hitting 22.0 sacks (just shy of the single-season record) in 2011. But he was not a one-hit wonder: Allen hit double-digit sacks eight times and tallied the fourth-most sacks in our time span. He also ranks fourth among edge players (if we include J.J. Watt) in total plus-EPA since 2001 — a measure where defenders who are on the field for positive defensive plays are credited with the resulting EPA.”

Seth Walder – ESPN

Allen recorded 85.5 of his 136 total career sacks with the Vikings. Acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs, Allen became a fan favorite and he was recently inducted to the Ring of Honor.

The Hall of Fame came calling for Allen in 2025, and his place was well-deserved. Jared Allen ranks 16th in NFL history for sacks, a stat that did not exist until more recently.

Someday the Minnesota Vikings will win a Super Bowl. Until then, we’ll continue to count as many accolades that don’t matter as possible and happily throw this one on top of the pile.

There’s virtually no way for a son of such a legend to live up to the legacy his dad created. But Montigo Moss will have at least an opportunity to carve his own path… in Minnesota. That’s right.

Montigo Moss to join Minnesota Vikings rookie camp

Randy Moss’ eldest son Thaddeus was a tight end with LSU where he won a National Championship with Justin Jefferson in 2019. Montigo Moss, a graduate from the University of Maine, is is Randy’s younger son. On Tuesday, he received and accepted an invitation to Minnesota Vikings rookie camp, which will run from May 9-12.

.@BlackBearsFB WR Montigo Moss has accepted his invite to #Vikings rookie minicamp, per source.

Moss is the son of Hall of Fame NFL WR Randy Moss.

— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 29, 2025

Of course Maine isn’t the powerhouse at the collegiate level that LSU is, but the Black Bears have been a recent participant in the FCS playoffs, so success clearly runs in the family. It wasn’t until Montigo Moss’ third season at Maine that he emerged as a regular weapon in their offense, catching 34 passes for 373 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Extend Pro Bowl Playmaking Linebacker, Andrew Van Ginkel

Last year as a fifth-year senior, however, Moss really found his footing, catching 61 passes for 722 yards and 7 touchdowns. The 6’1″ 220 pound wide receiver leaves college with 16 career receiving touchdowns and nearly 1,700 receiving yards, all at Maine. Hell, he even threw a touchdown pass in 2023.

Maine wide receiver Montigo Moss, the son of Hall of Famer Randy Moss, has accepted an invitation to attend the #Vikings rookie minicamp, per @_RyanFowler_.

Like father like son: pic.twitter.com/caeNNSBcu7

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) April 29, 2025

It would be an incredible story if Moss were able to somehow carve out a role with the Minnesota Vikings, but it will surely be a long shot. Could the franchise just be doing Randy a favor with this invite? Maybe… but nobody cares. If it makes Randy happy, I’m happy. Nepotism be damned.

Vikings receiver room trending up

It’s pretty hard to better a wide receiver group that includes Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. That said, the Minnesota Vikings selected Maryland Terrapins wideout Tai Felton with their third round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

With Jalen Nailor still on roster and lots of talent sure to hit free agency between now and week one, playing time won’t be easy to earn for the Vikings’ new day two pick. Last season, Nailor hauled in six touchdowns and turned 28 receptions into 414 yards. He also had some consequential drops and plenty of other miscues… not to mention his injury history.

Related: All 20 Minnesota Vikings Undrafted Free Agents

The Minnesota Vikings also signed 24-year-old “veteran” Rondale Moore this offseason. He will get plenty of opportunities to show he’s a better and more trustworthy player than what the former 2nd round pick was able to prove while playing for Arizona.

Then, there’s undrafted free agent Silas Bolden, another young name to watch, especially on special teams. Can Montigo Moss somehow find a way into that wide receiver room? The odds are certainly stacked against him. Nonetheless, he’ll be at TCO Performance Center in less than two weeks working out for Minnesota coaches.

And as long as that doesn’t change, anything is possible.

One of the more recent opportunities Vikings Super Bowl opportunities came in 1998 (technically 1999), after they won more games (15) than any other team in franchise history. It’s also the last time Minnesota earned a No. 1 playoff seed in the NFC.

Randy Moss means more to Minnesota Vikings fans

Of course, the most vivid memories of that season were created by a phenom rookie wide receiver out of Marshall University, named Randy Moss. In 1998, Moss burst onto the NFL scene with 1,313 yards and 17 touchdowns on 69 regular season receptions. Even two and a half decades later, Moss highlights still hit different.

5 catches
190 yards
2 touchdowns

In 1998 and his first career #MNF game, @RandyMoss introduced himself to both the Packers and the world 😳 pic.twitter.com/aNgO9hmNG0

— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) September 4, 2018

Of course, we all know how that season ended, with a devastating NFC Championship Game vs the Atlanta Falcons. But for most Minnesota Vikings fans, the ’98 season will always be remembered as the most fun we have ever had watching our favorite football team. And without Moss, none of those memories would exist.

During his seven plus seasons in purple, Randy Moss left an imprint on this sports fan base that most superstar athletes who have rolled through town can only dream of. Why? How? Because he did things that we had never seen before and he did them with a No. 84 Vikings jersey on.

Related: Justin Jefferson Breaks Another Randy Moss Receiving Record

So back in December, when reports were confirmed that Moss had been diagnosed with cancer, the news hit Minnesota Vikings fans especially hard. We’re trained from a young age that cancer can hit anyone. But to most of us, Randy Moss isn’t just a superstar football player. He’s a superhero.

Moss has emotional return to ESPN NFL Countdown

Thankfully, our superhero wide receiver announced a few weeks ago that he is cancer free. Then, after not appearing since week 17, Randy Moss returned to the desk of NFL Countdown on ESPN. The show opened with a video montage of appreciation and love for Moss that included many well-known local names including Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. When the camera turned back to Moss, he was in tears.

“It is so great to have you back.” – Tom Brady

Bill Belichick, Kevin Garnett and Justin Jefferson, among others, join Brady in welcoming back Randy Moss pic.twitter.com/ZwUhvgsOTT

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) February 9, 2025

It’s always good to see the GOAT feeling healthy and back at work, doing what he loves. Randy Moss turns 48 years old this week so he still has plenty of life left to live. Here’s to seeing the greatest wide receiver of all time on our TV for many, many years to come.

Another Vikings legend, Randy Moss, announced that he is battling cancer on Friday via Instagram live, after a mass was discovered and removed from his bile duct. Moss was thankful and announced himself cancer-free, after undergoing a successful surgery within the last week or two. Now, Randy is preparing for post-operation radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

Justin Jefferson sends love to fellow Minnesota Vikings legend Randy Moss

After catching his first quarter touchdown on Monday night, Jefferson laid down another unique twist on The Griddy, before making a heart with his hands, then yelling “WE LOVE YOU, RANDY! THAT’S FOR YOU!” into the camera, in a show of support for another Minnesota Vikings phenom wideout.

"We love you Randy, that's for you" 💜

Justin Jefferson showing love to Randy Moss after the TD 🥹 pic.twitter.com/fiSD5Vl4Df

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 17, 2024

Jefferson entered Monday’s week 15 primetime matchup with 75 receptions for 1,170 yards and 7 touchdowns, so far this season. It took half of a quarter for him to increase all of those numbers vs the Bears. But it was what JJ did with his celebration that got everyone’s attention.

When Randy Moss arrived in Minnesota back in 1998, he reshaped the game of football forever. He set records we never thought would be broken. Then, in 2020, the Vikings drafted Justin Jefferson, and he’s been breaking all of them.

Related: NFL Exec: Talking Heads Do Not Understand How Much Vikings Love JJ McCarthy

But as good of a wide receiver as Justin Jefferson is, he’s an even better person. Every Minnesota Vikings fan across the world is thinking/praying about Randy Moss this week. JJ is no different. Chris Carter and Jake Reed were honorary captains tonight, at U.S. Bank Stadium. They walked out holding up a Randy Moss jersey.

Cris Carter and Jake Reed held a Randy Moss jersey up at mid field during the coin toss tonight after Randy Moss recently announced his battle with cancer.

Some Things.
pic.twitter.com/J2ve8c43WL

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 17, 2024

Randall Cunningham and Randy Moss on the Vikings in the 90’s…🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/god0srA73E

— Randy Cruz (@randyjcruz) January 9, 2018

The moment Moss stepped on the field, football changed forever. If you want to know why every team in the NFL now runs two-high safeties on nearly every single play. That started with Randy Moss. He was unstoppable in single coverage, even with safety help. Hell, he was difficult to stop, even with two or three defenders on him.

What we know: Randy Moss dealing with a health condition affecting his eyes

Today, a dozen years since Moss retired, he’s paid as a studio analyst for ESPN on NFL Countdown. Over the weekend, Randy revealed to the world that he’s battling a serious health condition, but did not disclose details. All we know is, whatever’s going on, it’s affecting his eyes, which is why he has been wearing sunglasses the last two weekends on Countdown.

Unfortunately, we won’t be seeing him on Sundays or Mondays, at least for the foreseeable future. Moss announced in recent days that he is stepping away from his TV job, in order to address and work through his health problems.

Related: Joe Buck Finally Regrets Calling the Randy Moss Moon ‘a Disgusting Act’

Many on social media have pointed out a yellow color (jaundice) to his eyes, which can mean a person’s liver is not working properly. But Randy and his family have held his diagnosis from the public, so far.

Report that Moss has liver cancer denied by family

On Tuesday night, however, local independent insider Larry Fitzgerald Sr (father of Larry Fitzgerald Jr) reported some very, very bad news. According to Fitz Sr, Randy Moss has liver cancer, a report that started to spread fast, after Larry’s tweet. That was until Randy’s son, Thaddeus Moss, jumped into Fitzgerald’s replies (among others) to STRONGLY deny the report.

This is disgusting. You have no right to try to make private matters public for the sake of engagement. I do not believe my father talks to you , so check your fucking sources

— Thaddeus Moss (@Thaddeusmoss) December 11, 2024

Brett , the support is appreciated, truly. This is not true. My father will address the world when he is ready to

— Thaddeus Moss (@Thaddeusmoss) December 11, 2024

It sounds like Moss will make an announcement on what he is battling, soon. Until then, we will be left wondering what exactly is going on. Is Larry’s report false…? It would appear so (and good god, let’s hope so), but time will tell.

In his 14-year NFL career, Randy Moss caught 982 passes for 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns. He led the league in receiving touchdowns five different times, setting an NFL record in 2003, with 23, which has never been challenged, since. Randy went to six Pro Bowls, was named All-Pro four times, and was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2018.

Get well soon, G.O.A.T.

But more importantly, Moss made football into a religion for Minnesota Vikings fans that are now between the ages of 30 and 40. To this day, my best Vikings memories stem from watching Randy Moss catch footballs and do things on the field that my 10-year-old brain could not comprehend, at the time.

Related: Dennis Green Knew Exactly What Drafting Randy Moss Would Do For Vikings Offense

Now, Randy needs our thoughts and prayers. So pay him back for all that happiness he brought us today, as we await word on what is going on.

But that doesn’t mean there weren’t some impressive individual performances. Virtually every time Justin Jefferson steps on the football field he is capable of doing something amazing. He’s also capable, any given Sunday, to break another receiving record.

JJ has has put himself all over both the Vikings and National Football League record books, during his first 4.5 years in the NFL. Many of the records he has broken were held by another Minnesota Vikings receiving legend, Randy Moss. And on Thursday night, Jefferson added another ‘fastest to X benchmark in NFL history’.

Justin Jefferson continues his greatness for Minnesota Vikings

This time, with his second 100-yard game of the season, Justin Jefferson recorded his 31st such performance of his young NFL career, surplanting Moss with the most 100-yard games before the age of 26.

Justin Jefferson has passed Randy Moss for the most games with 100+ receiving yards before turning 26. 💪

🔗 https://t.co/Ep9jT4xcab pic.twitter.com/oJeXMik83M

— Pro Football Reference (@pfref) October 25, 2024

He's Just @JJettas2 💯 pic.twitter.com/TQoPLq3Ykq

— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2024

Jefferson is just seven games into his fifth season, and he won’t turn 26 until… next season. That’s right, every 100-yard game JJ records the rest of this season will only pad his lead on Moss, and the other legendary receivers on this list, which includes names like Larry Fitzgerald, Odell Beckham Jr, Mike Evans and Julio Jones.

Through the first 67 games of his career, Jefferson’s 97.7 yards per game average is an all-time NFL record. Since the moment Minnesota took Justin Jefferson in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft he has been a superstar. There was no real developmental curve, and he only seems to keep getting better. The only thing that ever JJ back was former head coach Mike Zimmer, who inexplicably did not start him for the first two games of his rookie season.

Related: Vegas Still Believes in Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell

The scarier part for future Minnesota Vikings opponents? Justin Jefferson isn’t likely to slow down any time soon. No. 18 has helped to elevate the play of Sam Darnold this season. Next year, the hope is that he will help expedite the development of currently injured 1st round pick, JJ McCarthy.

GREATNESS @JJettas2

📺: @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/fR1ObO3dfo

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 25, 2024

Jefferson is doing it all, all at once

Justin Jefferson is flying up the Minnesota Vikings receiving leaderboard, as well. Thursday put the former LSU superstar ahead of Vikings receiving great, Jake Reed, for 5th place in franchise history, in total receiving yards.

At this pace (6,545 yards), Jefferson will be the 2nd most prolific Vikings wide receiver of all time, by the halfway point of his career. He now needs under 2,800 yards to surpass Moss’ 9,316. Cris Carter sits atop the all-time Vikings receiving leaderboard, at 12,383 yards. And look how many less games JJ has played…

For some odd reason the folks at EA Sports didn’t get the memo that Jefferson is the best wideout in the league. He wasn’t originally a 99 overall when Madden NFL 25 dropped this summer. That has been corrected with the weekly roster update, and it was Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson that presented him with the honor.

Related: Minnesota Vikings vs Rams Ends on Most Egregious No-Call Facemask Penalty in Football History

Whether it’s on the actual gridiron or the virtual one, everything Jefferson does winds up being spectacular. He can’t play defense, and he won’t be taking over for Christian Darrisaw, but he can be a reason the Vikings get back on track moving forward.

Keep chopping it down young fellow

You are on your way to being the greatest Vikings receiver of all time! https://t.co/gZFHjRBwCM

— Jake Reed (@JakeReed86) October 25, 2024

9️⃣9️⃣ Club ✅✅@JJettas2 x @EAMaddenNFL

📰: https://t.co/MVoDn2JABX pic.twitter.com/DpTuIWgRBQ

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 24, 2024

Right now Minnesota Vikings fans are watching a generational talent set a new bar every time he steps on the field. It’s really quite amazing.