Popular Justin Jefferson Theory Smacked Down
Dustin Baker
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If you think Justin Jefferson “needs to see who the Minnesota Vikings quarterback will be” before he signs an extension, it’s time to rethink that theory.
Popular Justin Jefferson Theory Smacked Down
Jefferson is due — perhaps overdue — for a contract extension, as 2024 is the final year of his rookie contract. Jefferson’s representation and the Vikings front office have worked toward an agreement for over a year, and finalization of the deal could be around the bend after the NFL Draft, which gets underway in 10 days.
And according to Voice of the Vikings, KFAN’s Paul Allen, Jefferson does not have a problem with the franchise’s quarterback plan. Allen said on the Vikings draft preview show that debuted this week, “Reports that Jefferson might have some trouble with who the next quarterback is going to be, that’s not true. And yes, I did get that from the inside.”
The Vikings said sayonara to Kirk Cousins one month ago after the 35-year-old skedaddled to the Atlanta Falcons for four years and $180 million. Jefferson wasn’t secretive about wanting Cousins back for 2024 and beyond, but because the veteran quarterback left did not mean that Jefferson became disgruntled or anything of the sort.
Soon after Cousins signed in Atlanta — two days later — general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah swung a pre-draft trade, sending two 2nd-Round picks to Houston for the Texans’ 2024 1st-Rounder (Pick No. 23) and a late-round pick swap. Minnesota now owns more draft capital this month than any quarterback-needy team to trade up the board with a team like the Washington Commanders (Pick No. 2), the New England Patriots (Pick No. 3), the Arizona Cardinals (Pick No. 4), or the Los Angeles Chargers (Pick No. 5).
Meanwhile, quarterbacks Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (North Carolina), Jayden Daniels (LSU), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), J.J. McCarthy (Michigan), and Bo Nix (Oregon) are expected to go off the board in Rounds 1 and 2, and the purple team will likely land one of those men. Oddsmakers believe the selection will be McCarthy or Maye.
While Jefferson may have wanted to make sure his team had a plan — meaning he wanted them to prioritize QB1, which all signs point to as in motion — he doesn’t appear to have a litmus test on a specific rookie quarterback.
Jefferson said in February, “It really doesn’t matter too much who’s throwing me that ball as long as someone’s throwing it to me. I feel like I’m confident, and I have the ability to make plays no matter if the ball is 100% accurate or if it’s a little behind, a little in front, or a little off. I’m always confident in my game, confident that I’m going to play the same no matter who’s going to throw me that ball.”
Overall, two items can be true:
- Jefferson would’ve liked Cousins back with the Vikings.
- He isn’t going to decline an extension from the Vikings because Cousins left.
Jefferson and the team’s fans should learn the identity of the would-be rookie quarterback on April 25th.
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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