Justin Jefferson responds to Ja’Marr Chase’s claims as better WR: ‘I’m more versatile’
Justin Jefferson denies Ja’Marr Chase’s claims that he “stole all my moves.”
Speaking to Patrick Peterson and Bryant McFadden on the All Things Covered podcast, Jefferson said his former LSU teammate knew he didn’t steal all of his moves and said the two played alike in the first place.
“He’s more of a physical threat receiver, I’m more of a shady one – I mean I can do both. I’m more versatile. I can mostly do slot, mostly outside, I can do whatever you want. ‘ Jefferson said. “I don’t think our game is similar. But I mean, if he feels like I stole his moves, I’ll let him keep thinking that.”
“Ja’Marr knows I don’t steal MOVES from him…we don’t play the same.”@JJettas2 replies to @Real10jayy__ said he stole all his moves. 😂 pic.twitter.com/hboUZtUVoR
— All Covered (@ATCoveredPod) August 22, 2022
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The former LSU teammates and friends have quickly become two of the best wide receivers in the NFL since arriving with the Vikings and Bengals. Jefferson set the NFL rookie record in 2020 at 1,400 yards only for Chase to set the record again in 2021 with 1,455. While Chase outplayed Jefferson in one game, Chase had reached 1,429 in the first 16 games of his rookie campaign.
In an interview with CBS Sports HQ, Chase said he was the better wide receiver and because Jefferson went to the NFL early, he “stole all my moves.”
“He finished first in the league and it looked like his moves,” Chase said, later admitting that he would likely get a call from Jefferson about his comments.
Ja’Marr Chase on who the better WR is – him or Justin Jefferson:
“I… he stole all my moves” 🤣
🎥: @CBSSportsHQpic.twitter.com/4qwyskjTg2
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) August 4, 2022
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Jefferson and Chase were both part of a historic offense at LSU when they played alongside Bengals QB Joe Burrow. In 2019, as a sophomore, Chase had 84 receptions for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns while Jefferson caught 111 passes for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns en route to a national championship.
Picked 22nd overall by the Vikings in 2020, Jefferson had instant success in the NFL with 88 receptions and 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns. In his sophomore year in the NFL, he caught 108 passes for 1,616 yards with 10 touchdowns.
Chase spent his junior year at LSU during the COVID-19 pandemic but still finished fifth overall in 2021 to the Bengals. He immediately restored chemistry with Burrow as the two had 81 receptions, 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns. Chase was named Offensive Rookie of the Year and was a key rookie on the team’s road to Super Bowl 56.
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It would be hard to disagree with Jefferson’s assessment of the two receivers’ games. According to ProFootballFocus, Chase had the sixth-highest mark on deep passes with a 99.5, while Jefferson was 13th with a 98.3. However, Jefferson did better on intermediate passes, leading the league with a 99.9 while Chase tied for 42nd in the league with a 95.8. Chase had the edge on short passes with 94.1 (11th) to Jefferson’s 92.0 (39th), but overall Jefferson’s 90.1 placed him third in the league ahead of Chase’s 84, 10th in the league .
Jefferson was right about his use as well. He had 205 snaps in the slot and 453 snaps in width, while Chase only had 106 snaps in the slot and 506 out.
The two wide receivers have already established themselves as two of the best in the league. And with their friendly banter already in full effect, they’ll be one of the most entertaining rivalries for years to come.