Vikings Ink WR Jarius Wright to 4-Year Extension
Lindsey Young
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The Vikings have certainly been busy with announcements this morning, and it seems they saved the good news for last. After reporting that center John Sullivan was placed on IR, the team announced Thursday morning that wide receiver Jarius Wright signed a contract extension.
According to Ian Rapoport, Wright’s deal is a four-year extension worth $14.8 million, $7 million of that being guaranteed money.
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said the following:
[pull_quote_center]Jarius has been a key member of our offense since we drafted him in 2012, and we felt it was necessary to secure his future with our organization. His commitment to this team, hard work and leadership in the WR room are several of the intangibles that he brings to our club on a daily basis and we’re excited for his future with the Vikings. With the help of WR coach George Stewart, Jarius has greatly improved since coming to Minnesota. This extension stays true to our philosophy of drafting young talent, developing them in our system and rewarding their success.[/pull_quote_center]
Minnesota drafted Wright No. 118 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft, and he made an immediate impact by snagging the two longest passes (65 yards and 54 yards) of the year. Although Wright may not immediately come to mind as a flashy receiver, he continues to play a significant role on the offense.
During the 2014 season, Wright started in a career-high seven games and also notched career-high stats with 42 receptions and 588 receiving yards.