Nov 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings players celebrate wide receiver Justin Jefferson's (18) touchdown during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
It’s over, and the trade-theory merchants were wrong. All of them.
Justin Jefferson extended his stay in Minneapolis on Monday morning, about two weeks before his 25th birthday. Quite the gift.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted, “A record deal: the Vikings and three-time Pro-Bowl WR Justin Jefferson reached agreement on a four-year, $140 million contract extension that includes $110 million guaranteed and makes him not only the highest-paid WR in NFL history, but the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history, sources tell ESPN.”
Minnesota’s front office and Jefferson’s camp worked toward this deal for about a year and a half, and it was consummated on Monday.
Schefter added, “Jefferson’s deal includes $88.743 million due at signing, the highest non-QB guarantee at signing in NFL history. And it resets the WR market. WME Football negotiated and confirmed the deal.”
Moments after the news flooded the internet, Jefferson personally tweeted his gratitude. “Something that once was a dream is now my reality. There are so many people that I can sit here and thank but you all know who you are that helped me along the way. But we ain’t stopping here … There’s more to be done… SKOL!!!!!!!” he wrote on the X app.
Here’s the full video from Jefferson, where he thanks God, his family, his agent, and fans:
Jefferson is now in the Twin Cities per the new contract until the end of 2028, which exactly aligns with quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s rookie deal. When the 2028 and 2029 seasons get close, Minnesota will have a choice to extend one or both men.
Right after April’s draft, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said about Jefferson’s impending extension, “You know that friend that has a birthday that takes the month? I think Justin would deserve his whole month if we signed a contract to celebrate it. We’re excited to work towards it. We’re going to keep going. You can’t have all these plans when you talk about all these visions and not talk about the king linchpin, so we’re going to keep working toward that end goal.”
As it turns out, Adofo-Mensah wasn’t making stuff up, as Jefferson’s deal was finalized on the third day of June — Jefferson’s birthday month.
All vital Vikings’ offseason items are now checked off the list. Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter left for new teams, a free-agent class joined (headlined by Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Blake Cashman, Aaron Jones, and Sam Darnold), and Adofo-Mensah got his men in Round 1 of the draft, with J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner joining the club.
Jefferson’s extension was the final boss of the offseason. And it’s complete. The future is bright.
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.