Why Justin Jefferson Will Soon Be Extraordinarily Rich
It’s coming.
The Minnesota Vikings have three years remaining on Justin Jefferson’s rookie contract, and that provides a limited amount of solace. In theory, as is currently happening, the Vikings can surround Jefferson for three more seasons “on the cheap.” Think of a quarterback on a rookie contract — but with a star-studded wide receiver.
But after the 2024 season, the financial team-friendly honeymoon ends. If Jefferson were eligible for an extension today, he’d command about $27-$30 million per season. End of story, not debatable.
Why? Well, this. These are the receiving yards totals inside the last two seasons — when Jefferson entered the NFL.
- Justin Jefferson (MIN) = 3,016
- Davante Adams (GB) = 2,927
- Cooper Kupp (LAR) = 2,921
- Stefon Diggs (BUF) = 2,760
- Travis Kelce (KC) = 2,541
Per yardage, Jefferson has produced the best start to an NFL career ever. Plain and simple. Ja’Marr Chase could surpass Jefferson in 2022 for a player’s first two seasons, but you get the point. Jefferson isn’t some DeVante Parker-type who’s a nice addition to an offense. He’s a game-changer, possessing abilities to rack up receiving yards and touchdowns like most men cannot.
A 22-year-old wide receiver has led the NFL in receiving yards over the last two seasons. Just let it sink in. Such heroism will absolutely command and demand top WR dollars on the open market. It’s just a matter of when.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”986886″ player=”26279″ title=”WATCH%20Brandin%20Cooks%20drawing%20trade%20interest%203%20ideal%20landing%20spots” duration=”103″ description=”Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks has been traded a whole lot during his otherwise brilliant eight-year career.Despite putting up north of 1,000 yards six times, Cooks has found himself traded by the likes of the New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams.” uploaddate=”2022-04-05″ thumbnailurl=”undefined” contentUrl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/streaming/986817/986817.m3u8″ width=”16″ height=”9″]
For players on rookie deals, like Jefferson, who make it vividly obvious they’re special, contract extension talks generally begin and actionize after Year 3. Accordingly, the Vikings would chat with Jefferson about his gaudy new wallet in the spring of 2023 — or one year from now. Then, that money would “kick in” during the 2025 season.
This is the current state of play for wide receivers, per average annual salary:
- Tyreek Hill = $30M
- Davante Adams = $28M
- DeAndre Hopkins = $27.25M
- Stefon Diggs = $26M
- D.J. Moore = $20.62M
- Keenan Allen = $20.25M
- Mike Williams = $20M
- Amari Cooper = $20M
- Chris Godwin = $20M
- Michael Thomas = $19.25M
- Christian Kirk = $18M
- Kenny Golladay = $18M
Jefferson, by the time extension discussions commence, will bash these figures to smithereens. That’s what men who lead the NFL in receiving yards through sophomore campaigns do.
Too, the numbers above will inflate with the salary cap spike. Remember when your friends savaged Kirk Cousins for $28 million guaranteed per season? That’s a steal of a deal now for a passer accounting for 30+ touchdowns annually. In the same spirit, the deal Stefon Diggs signed on Wednesday ($26 million) will feel puny.
Next steps for this situation? The Vikings better reach the playoffs in 2022 or 2023. Otherwise, why the hell would Jefferson want to stay in Minnesota after multiple playoff-less campaigns? Some other team will blissfully cut the man a check for $35 million per year.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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