Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson gave his new quarterback Sam Darnold a simple instruction for this season with just two words: “Trust me.”

That’s exactly what Darnold did on Sunday when he threw from his own end zone, hit Jefferson deep in the field against double coverage, and then watched Jefferson turn the pass into a 97-yard touchdown.

Jefferson lined up behind safeties Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odom, caught the pass at the 49ers’ 45-yard line, then turned and ran faster than Brown and Odom into the end zone.

We are actually in the process of putting an active player in Canton.@JJettas2

📺: @NFLonCBs pic.twitter.com/cephalTst9

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) 15 September 2024

This play gave the Vikings a 10-0 lead over the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter at US Bank Stadium.

For Jefferson, it was the longest pass of his career. It was also the second-longest play in Vikings history and the longest play by a Vikings player since receiver Bernard Berrian caught a 99-yard touchdown from Gus Frerotte in Week 13 of the 2008 season.