The Minnesota Vikings have a quarterback. Their focus now shifts to ensuring J.J. McCarthy’s top goal remains in town for the foreseeable future.
Justin Jefferson is still without a contract extension just over two months into the NFL’s offseason. However, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell is not very concerned about the situation.
“I know everything’s going to get worked out there,” O’Connell remarked on the “Up & Adams” show. “Justin is aware of my affection and appreciation for him, and he understands how important he is to what we do around here. That’s on the field and off the field; [he] gives such a positive energy to our building every day. And he is the ultimate competitor when it comes to stepping between the white lines. Few people can accomplish what he can do, but it’s all about how he conducts himself, how he works, and how he motivates his colleagues to improve. Justin Jefferson is a key member of this organization.”
While O’Connell expressed optimism that the Vikings and Jefferson would reach a long-term agreement, the clock is ticking. The talented wide receiver is approaching the final year of his rookie contract, with a guaranteed fifth-year option worth $19.743 million. The two parties attempted to reach an agreement last offseason, but contract talks were put on hold when the regular season began.
Since then, wide receivers have continued to make a lot of money in new contracts. Calvin Ridley inked a four-year, $92 million contract to join the Tennessee Titans in free agency. In April, the Detroit Lions extended Amon-Ra St. Brown’s contract for four years and $120 million, with $77 million in guaranteed money, a wide receiver record.
Jefferson revealed his desire to see a huge payout hit his bank account in February, long before Ridley, St. Brown, and other receivers received massive paychecks.
“I want to break the bank, and I want to be a part of an organization that wants me and will really give me what I deserve,” Jefferson stated in an interview with Mad Dog Sports Radio back then. “I believe the Vikings will eventually do what is necessary to get me into the facility, but I am not sure right now. Only time will tell.
“I feel like I have the right people in my circle to negotiate and do what’s right, and I feel like this whole process of how we handle things and how we went accordingly with the season and the contract stuff, I feel like we did a great job with it.”
It is reasonable to expect Jefferson’s next deal to be larger than that of St. Brown and the other highest-paid receivers. Jefferson, who turns 25 in June, has been one of the league’s best receivers since his rookie season in 2020, winning Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 with 128 receptions for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns. He also recorded 68 receptions for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns in just 10 games last season, despite missing time with a hamstring ailment.
Jefferson’s domination early in his career could explain why it may take the Vikings some time to look him up in the long run. Other top receivers, including Ja’Marr Chase and CeeDee Lamb, are looking for contract extensions this offseason. The Vikings might wait until the other top receivers sign contracts before agreeing to an extension to assure that Jefferson is the highest-paid receiver in the league, like the Cincinnati Bengals did with Joe Burrow last season.
However, the Vikings clearly appreciate Jefferson. They said they were keeping him updated on their quarterback situation after losing Kirk Cousins to free agency. Jefferson reciprocated, with McCarthy revealing that the great wide receiver contacted him shortly after being drafted.
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