WATCH: Justin Jefferson Dazzles with 1 Play at Minicamp
The Minnesota Vikings hosted mandatory minicamp this week for two days in Eagan, ending festivities Wednesday as the team now embarks on a six-week summer break before training camp.
WATCH: Justin Jefferson Dazzles with 1 Play at Minicamp
Among the top storylines at the event included Danielle Hunter’s contractual holdout, rookie Jaquelin Roy’s emergence, Kirk Cousins curiously hinting Dalvin Cook could return with the Vikings — and Justin Jefferson’s generalized presence.
Like Hunter, Jefferson expects a contract extension and is eligible anytime to prolong his deal in Minnesota. The current contract expires at the end of the 2024 season, so it’s only a matter of time before No. 18 is glued to the Vikings for at least the next five years.
And while Jefferson just being there at minicamp was cause for celebration, on-the-field theatrics stole the show, too. Jefferson stole this pass out of the sky — a, well, rather Jeffersonian transaction.
The face of the Vikings franchise was drafted in 2020 and has spanked the NFL since. He leads the league in receiving yards since turning pro, owns every through-first-three-seasons and through-xxx-games receiving yards stat imaginable, and already took down Randy Moss and Cris Carter for most single-season receiving yards and single-season receptions in Vikings history, respectively.
His next contract — which should be completed soon or at any minute — should fetch between $30 and $35 million per season, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the sport. Jefferson was also vocal at minicamp, explaining his recent absence from organized team activities (OTAs), “I had a lot of stuff going on. I mean they didn’t really, you know, force to come back too much. So, it didn’t seem like I was missing too, too much. But they definitely wanted me back here. Wanted to be back here.”
“I love being around the guys. I love being around the team. We want to win the Super Bowl this year,” Jefferson added about the Vikings 2023 goals.
Reporters asked Jefferson if he’d attend training camp in July without the contract extension, and he offered a concise, non-interpretive reply, “Yeah.”
Jefferson’s teammate on defense, Danielle Hunter, was wholly absent from mandatory minicamp, and he is holding out for a new contract. It is unclear as of June 15th if Minnesota will grant Hunter an extension or trade the man on the open market.
The Vikings haven’t won back-to-back division titles since 2008-2009, and they’ll need every inch of Jefferson’s production — even the fancy stuff from the video above.
Jefferson turns 24 on Friday.
Former Vikings TE Done for the 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 Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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