Justin Jefferson Talks Ja'Marr Chase 'Love-Hate Relationship' and Competition to Be NFL's No. 1 WR

Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson detailed his friendly rivalry with Cincinnati Bengals star receiver and former LSU teammate Ja'Marr Chase.

"It's definitely a love-hate relationship, but it has to be," Jefferson said in an interview for Boardroom with Taylor Rooks (34:24 mark). "Just because of how competitive we are and how much this sport really means to us. We don't ever like to be number two. No one ever likes to be number two. But to have two guys that's on a similar level, superstars of a league that has all of the talent in the world, that's able to take a franchise to the next level, for us to be on that same team at LSU is pretty crazy to actually think about."

"That transformed into us always competing against each other. He's on one side, I'm on the other side. We're always competing for who's gonna get the most touchdowns, who's gonna get the most yards. Having that friendly battle but also understanding how far to take it. We're not overly stepping on boundaries, we're not overly disrespecting one another, we're not overly calling each other out. We respect one another's game, but we both think we're number one."

Before their NFL careers, Jefferson and Chase spent two seasons together at LSU from 2018-19.

During their final year as teammates, they combined for 3,320 receiving yards and 38 touchdowns while playing key roles in a Tigers offense that helped the team compile a perfect 15-0 record and capture a national championship.

Jefferson and Chase have remained dominant upon entering the NFL as first-round picks in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Jefferson has racked up 8,480 receiving yards and 42 touchdown catches in six seasons, while Chase has amassed 6,837 receiving yards and 54 touchdowns in five years.

Jefferson has tallied four Pro Bowl nods, two First Team All-Pro selections and an Offensive Player of the Year award.

As for Chase, he's received five Pro Bowl selections, two First Team All-Pro honors and an Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

While both players are prepared to battle for the title of the NFL's top wide receiver during the 2026 season, there doesn't appear to be any animosity between the two.