Prominent NFL Analyst Claims Justin Jefferson’s Patience May Run Out
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson said Wednesday at the Super Bowl’s radio row, “I’m definitely grateful for what Minnesota has done for me. I definitely wouldn’t be in this situation if they didn’t pick me, to be the fifth receiver taken. With everything that has happened and everything I have gave to the organization, of course, I would want to stay.”
Prominent NFL Analyst Claims Justin Jefferson’s Patience May Run Out
Jefferson told Pro Football Talk the following day, “You know, it kind of gets frustrating at some point in time of course, just what all I have done for the organization. I’m still early in my contract, my rookie contract, but no one has done what I’ve done before. I’m just excited to just be a part of their organization, and hopefully they feel that I’m valuable enough to give me. It doesn’t matter the amount of zeros, but I just want to play football and want to be a part of the organization that, you know, values me and wants me there.”
For some, that translated to his patience running thin, particularly PFT’s Mike Florio.
Jefferson is due for an elephantine contract extension, any day actually, that will break the bank to the tune of $30 million or more per season. And according to Florio, Minnesota is playing with fire by prolonging the process. “Jefferson is being pragmatic, which is good. But the Vikings should be pragmatic, too. This isn’t a guy you’re looking to sign in free agency to fill a need for a year or two. This is a face-of-the-franchise, foundational player,” Florio wrote after interviewing Jefferson.
Other members from the 1st Round of Jefferson’s draft class (2020) are awaiting extensions, too, like CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs. ‘Tis the season for extensions involving 2020 1st-Rounders.
Florio added about the Vikings’ role in the process, “They’ve made that exception for quarterback Kirk Cousins. If they want to keep Jefferson — and if they want to keep him happy — they MUST make it for him, too. It won’t set a bad precedent or put the team on a slippery slope. If other agents try to get the same structure, the response is simple: When your guy plays like Justin Jefferson, we will. Pay close attention to this one, Vikings fans. Your team is inching closer and closer to screwing the pooch. If they do, hold them accountable.”
Last summer, Vikings owner Mark Wilf reduced any mystery about Jefferson’s long-term fate in Minnesota, “Everyone is working together on this contract. We are certainly aware of the magnitude of this one. We are certainly aware. Certainly involved. Justin Jefferson, we want him to stay as a Minnesota Viking.”
As of February 8th, it’s just a matter of finalizing the deal, at least per what all parties have said in the last 12 months.
Florio concluded, “Jefferson is ready and willing to sign the contract he deserves. The only question is whether ownership is willing to do the right thing. Unless, of course, they’re planning to trade him in order to get in position to draft a franchise quarterback. While a plausible strategy on the surface, good luck getting the people who buy tickets and jerseys and overpriced foodstuffs to accept saying farewell, again, to a great receiver.”
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said at the 2023 NFL Combine about wanting to keep Jefferson for the long haul, “I don’t want to be the Vikings’ GM without that guy on our team. So it’s a high priority.”
Overall, the Jefferson extension is getting treated like a big and suspenseful news item when, in reality, it’s probably not. The Vikings won’t allow the best non-quarterback in the sport to depart.
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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