What happened: PFF's six-season comparison pairs Justin Jefferson's 2024 average of 90.2 with Sam Darnold and his 2023 average of 107.4 with Kirk Cousins. His 2022 mark was 106.4, following 95.1 in 2021 and 87.5 in 2020.
Why it matters: The season-to-season swing makes Jefferson's production a central measure of the passing game's direction in 2026. A return toward his 2022-24 range would reverse the steepest one-year drop in the series.
By the numbers: Across 2020-25, Jefferson averaged 91.4 receiving yards per game. His 2025 figure was 35.7 yards below his average over the previous five seasons and 45.8 below his 2023 peak.
What to watch: Jefferson's 2026 pace will show whether the decline was a one-season dip or a new baseline.