Justin Jefferson soared to new heights after a historically dominant rookie season. The Minnesota Vikings, though, were mediocre once again. They will finish the 2021 season with a losing record, enter Week 18 eliminated from playoff contention and possibly see the firing of head coach Mike Zimmer soon.

Minnesota was 5-5 at one point the season, well within reach of the playoffs. Then they went 2-4, including a loss to a then-winless Detroit Lions team, and missed the playoffs for the second year in a row. Jefferson didn't mince words about how good the Vikings could have been this season. He said they should have one of the NFL's best records.

After a tough loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Jefferson admitted that he needs more aggression from the Vikings' playcalling. Although he set the all-time record for receiving yards in a player's first two seasons and made his second straight Pro Bowl, he is lacking in team success. That isn't any fault of his but it certainly makes sense that he wants to make it to the playoffs.

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Kirk Cousins, who missed the Vikings' do-or-die game last Sunday due to contracting COVID-19, voiced his pride and confidence in the franchise. He has built a strong connection with Jefferson and has other stars around him like Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen. Their offense was above average at scoring this season and has the potential to be more than that.

The Vikings, though, need more than Cousins, Jefferson and offensive firepower to get back to the playoffs. Their defense and offensive need upgrading. Before these needs are addressed, Jefferson will only be able to play for regular-season records and not Super Bowls.