Vikings Fans Freak Out about Justin Jefferson IG Post
Minnesota Vikings fans are scarred by Stefon Diggs’ antics from four years ago.
That wide receiver used social media to tweet bizarre song quotes in 2019, and not long after, former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman traded Diggs to the Buffalo Bills.
Vikings Fans Freak Out about Justin Jefferson IG Post
In the deal, Minnesota received the draft pick that netted Justin Jefferson, the NFL’s reigning Offensive Player of the Year, plus other draft capital.
Now, in 2023, Jefferson posted a quote to Instagram, and some Vikings fans bent over backward to interpret the post as a message about his future with the team, which appears to be false.
Jefferson wrote on Instagram, “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”
The young playmaker was reportedly referencing a relationship with a significant other — not his football team — but a handful of folks were initially spooked that the quote was a Diggsian tell.
Jefferson leads the NFL through three games with 458 receiving yards on 27 receptions and 1 touchdown. He’s on pace for 153 catches, 2,595 yards, and 6 touchdowns, not bad for a man defending an OPOY crown. Inconveniently, the Vikings are 0-3 heading into Week 4, desperately needing a win to avoid the season further tumbling into irrelevance and futility.
The 24-year-old has no history whatsoever with strange Instagram posts or tweets and, in fact, has the opposite reputation. Jefferson has gone out of his way in the last four seasons to remind fans that he’s not a “diva” and habitually reaffirms his commitment as a football player, not a drama merchant.
Meanwhile, Minnesota’s front office has not locked down a long-term contract extension for Jefferson, instead pushing the conversation to next offseason. Right before the regular season began three weeks ago, the Vikings and Jefferson’s representation were allegedly close to an extension but couldn’t quite close. When the team finalizes the deal — Jefferson and the Vikings have reminded the media and fans for months that both sides are steadfast about the extension — he’s expected to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Until then, some will continue to mistake any words or social posts for reality about his contract status.
Jefferson’s Vikings are four-point favorites to down the Carolina Panthers this Sunday on the road.
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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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