Vikings May Have to ‘Set the Market’ with 2 Players Real Soon
Dustin Baker
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Since the end of the Minnesota Vikings abbreviated playoff run — and even before that — fans have wrestled with Justin Jefferson’s contract regarding the when and how much.
Jefferson is a lock to remain with the Vikings, telling reporters after the 2022 season ended, “I will be wherever I’m wanted. If they want me here, I’m here.”
Vikings May Have to ‘Set the Market’ with 2 Players Real Soon
But Jefferson isn’t the only Viking who may request a market-setting contract. There could be two.
Justin Jefferson
Right off the bat, via your Jefferson contract thinking, fully expect Jefferson’s contract to set the market. Criminality would ensue if the Vikings lowballed the soon-to-be Offensive Player of the Year.
Of course, six months ago, Jefferson famously told Chris Tomasson from the Pioneer Press, “I’ll focus on contract after the season. Our main thing is reaching to that goal, but I’m not really too fond of money. I’m really just trying to get that goal of being the best receiver.”
While that’s heartwarming, Jefferson will become fond of money in mere weeks. His agent will see to it. If the agent does not, he should be barred from the sport.
Ari Meirov from The 33rd Team wrote this week about NFL players who will expect big money soon, and Jefferson, unsurprisingly, made the list. He mentioned the Vikings phenom playmaker, “Jefferson, who is eligible for a contract extension, will likely try and take the market to another level.”
“Expect Jefferson to aim for a true $30 million-plus AAV deal in negotiations with Minnesota,” Meirov surmised.
The big bag for Jefferson is coming, will contain $30+ million annually, and the LSU alumnus will fasten to the Vikings depth chart for the next 6-7 years.
T.J. Hockenson
Wait, there’s more.
If you think Hockenson will accept a team-friendly deal or anything of the sort — you’re wrong.
Meirov opined on Hockenson, too, “Considering what Minnesota gave up to get him and the impact he made in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, Hockenson could make a push to become the highest-paid tight end in the league.”
“The market for the position has not moved the way other positions have in recent years. Hockenson could try to change that,” he added.
The richest tight end in the world per average annual salary, Darren Waller, earns $17 million per season. Hockenson arrived on the Minneapolis scene with such oomph that he could reasonably demand a market-setting deal.
And the Vikings would be hostage. Why? Well, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah used a big splash to acquire Hockenson, and letting him walk after a year and a half would be a bit embarrassing (Hockenson’s rookie deal runs out in 2023).
Hockenson could settle “in the middle” of the top tier via TE earnings, but to expect or hope he’ll entertain a discount is bogus.
So, Adofo-Mensah must ponder elephantine Jefferson + Hockenson extensions while staring at the league’s third-worst cap situation as of January 27th.
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,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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