‘Receiver’: Top Takeaways

Last week, the sequel to ‘Quarterback’ finally dropped on Netflix, with ‘Receiver’ providing fans with unique behind-the-scenes access to the lives of Davante Adams, Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. With the majority of fans having now seen at least one episode from the top-10 Netflix series, Decyfr offers a key takeaway from each of the five stars.

‘Receiver’ lands on Netflix TOMORROW – who’s excited? 🙌#Receiver | @netflix pic.twitter.com/uGoKSchucE

— Decyfr Sport (@DecyfrSport) July 9, 2024

Davante Adams: Drama in Las Vegas

It was no secret that the presence of former college roommate, Derek Carr, was a major reason behind Davante Adams’ decision to join the Raiders in March 2022. After Las Vegas decided to move on from Carr ahead of last season, however, Adams was left with Jimmy Garoppolo as his QB1. How did it go? Well, perhaps Adams exclaiming “I gotta get the f*** outta here before I lose my f***ing life” answers that question. In 2023, Adams recorded his lowest receiving yards and touchdowns since his injury-ridden season in 2019 – prompting opponents to express their sympathy at his quarterback situation: “If i’m 17, I gotta go.” In Week 9, then-interim head coach Antonio Pierce made the decision to start rookie QB Aidan O’Connell over Jimmy ‘G’ – a move that we now know Adams not only agreed with, but approved – paving the way for a considerable improvement to end the 2023 season. 

Justin Jefferson: Record-breaking

Justin Jefferson is indisputably one of the best wide receivers in the league today – and at just 25 years old, there’s a lot left in the tank. An unfortunate reality in the NFL, however, is the ability that injuries have to determine the trajectory of one’s career – no matter how talented or youthful. 2023 saw Jefferson experience exactly that – missing seven games across the course of the year. Despite his absence, the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year still managed to surpass 1000 receiving yards last season. During the end-of-year meeting between Jefferson and head coach Kevin O’Connell – in the final episode of ‘Receiver’ – it became clear that the Minnesota Vikings were not only unphased by Jefferson’s injuries but were ready to make him a staple in the team for the foreseeable. As a result, Jefferson concluded his first injury-ridden season since high school by becoming the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history. 

BREAKING: The @Vikings have signed 2022 Offensive Player of the Year and 3x Pro Bowl receiver Justin Jefferson to a 4-year contract extension worth $140 million, w/ $110 million guaranteed.

He’s now the NFL’s HIGHEST-PAID non-QB 💰#Decyfr #NFL #SKOL | @JJettas2 @UKVikings pic.twitter.com/7KpNzKwx2z

— Decyfr Sport (@DecyfrSport) June 3, 2024

Amon-Ra St. Brown: Family

Amon-Ra St. Brown proved himself to be a diamond in the rough following the 2021 NFL Draft – with the fourth-round pick immediately becoming a “core pillar” in Detroit. In just three seasons, the 2023 first-team All-Pro has forged a reputation for his strength, work ethic and intelligence – traits that were built into St. Brown from an incredibly young age. At just five years old, his dad – a former two-time Mr. Universe – put him through intensive weight training, while his mum – a native-German speaker – ensured St. Brown was not only fluent in German and English but was highly-proficient in French as well. Intent on keeping him focused on his future, St. Brown’s dad, John, even called his long-term girlfriend Brooklyn Adams a “dream-killer” upon meeting her. With Adams standing firm by St. Brown’s side since high school, however, Amon-Ra has undoubtedly found someone capable of aligning with his family’s unique intensity and high expectations.

Deebo Samuel: The Ultimate Dad

Deebo Samuel is known by fans as many things; a hard-hitter, an elite athlete and a “chess piece”, just to name a few. A dad, however, wasn’t a title Samuel was particularly well known for until ‘Receiver’ dropped last week. At which point, it became evident that this might be his most fitting title yet. Tyshun ‘Deebo’ Samuel Jr. was born in December, 2021 – introducing Samuel to a new side of life. According to his teammates, the new addition even transformed the 2021 first-team All-Pro receiver’s play – thanks to what they’ve coined “dad strength”. In fact, in the two full seasons prior to Tyshun’s birth, Samuel accrued just 1,378 total yards and 7 touchdowns. Compared to the two full seasons after Tyshun’s birth, in which the new father recorded 1,981 total yards and 17 touchdowns. In his own words: “When I go back and watch it, it’s crazy, it did start happening. Now, rather than playing for me, I’m playing for my family and him.” Suffice to say, ‘Receiver’ showed fans a new side to Deebo Samuel.

George Kittle: The Joker

From one 49er who has a kid, to another 49er who might still be one. The boyish love that George Kittle has for both life and for the game of football is infectious. Even prior to ‘Receiver’ you’d be hard-pressed to find a fan who doesn’t love watching every ‘mic’d up’ clip featuring Kittle. Whether it’s his love for shoes, his shock at Nick Bosa’s appearance at his birthday party or his refreshingly comedic comments during games, Kittle was a highlight of this series from start-to-finish. With the San Francisco 49ers viewed as Super Bowl favourites throughout the majority of the 2023 season, the five-time Pro Bowler ensured his teammates cracked a smile on gameday – even managing to make getting hit in the testicles by Vikings safety Harrison Smith a comedic highlight. As the two-time first-team All-Pro prepares for his eighth season in the league, 49er faithful look can look forward to more of the same from the tight end.