Quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Justin Jefferson's friendship goes back several years, long before becoming NFL superstars. The duo ruled college football together at LSU and kept opponents in check during their two years in Baton Rouge.

However, like any great partnership, they had their fair share of ups and downs. Recently, at Fanatics Fest 2026, Burrow shared a funny anecdote involving him and Jefferson and how the incident forced him to step up his game.

"He didn’t talk to me for the entire next week,” said Joe Burrow, per NFL insider Arye Pulli on X. “I was like, ‘I’ll get you a touchdown, bro. You don’t have to pout all week on me.”

On the July 18 post, the insider revealed that during their LSU days, Jefferson had once given Burrow the silent treatment after going two straight games without scoring a touchdown.

This competitiveness has helped hone the WR's precise skills and single-minded focus on leading his team to victory.

Even after taking different routes in the NFL, with Jefferson joining the Minnesota Vikings and Burrow landing with the Cincinnati Bengals, their chemistry has remained as strong as ever.

"I got my friend Justin here, we went to college together, so it's always a great time when I get to see him," Burrow said, per ESPN, at the MET Gala 2026.

In fact, the Vikings WR even admitted in the past that he was jealous that his college teammates, Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, were playing together for the Cincinnati Bengals while he was separated from them.

"I love them together, I love the chemistry that they have, but it's definitely some jealousy on that side," Jefferson told comedian Kevin Hart back in 2024.

Despite being on different teams, their friendship has remained strong, but we shouldn't forget what kind of beasts they were when they played together.

Joe Burrow and Justin Jefferson terrorized defenses together at LSU

Joe Burrow and Justin Jefferson played 28 total games together as teammates at LSU between the 2018 and 2019 college football seasons. And it would be an understatement to say that they were dominant.

LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire recalled the Tigers' 2019 game against the Longhorns, saying the chemistry between Justin Jefferson and Joe Burrow was so perfect that he would never forget one of Burrow's throws in the final minutes of the game.

"It's a throw that I'll remember for the rest of my life," Edwards-Helaire said per ESPN. "Joe was getting hit and threw a ball off one leg, sidearmed to Justin Jefferson. That's something I'll take to my grave. A guy with arm talent like that and being so composed, that's something that's hard to find, and we have it."

Out of the 28 games they played, they won a staggering 25, including all 15 of their games in the second season. Their on-field chemistry was something else altogether.

They totaled 165 receptions, 2,415 yards, and 24 touchdowns in two seasons. In their last season with LSU, they delivered 111 catches for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Now on different paths, both players have built reputations as being some of the league's best. Jefferson's competitive spirit and Burrow's ability to step up for his teammates undoubtedly made them the standout players they are today.

Read more at the Cleveland Browns Community!

Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit