Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) stiff arms Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis III (24) in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
All things Minnesota Vikings are dominated by two talking points: the identity of the QB1 in 2024 — Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy — and Justin Jefferson’s eventual contract extension.
And regarding Jefferson, ESPN’s Adam Schefter sounded optimistic this week that a deal isn’t too far away. Jefferson is expected to sign an extension in the neighborhood of $35 million per season, and for most, the conversation is merely a matter of when.
Schefter said on SportsCenter, “When this deal gets done, and I think it will eventually get done, it is expected to make Justin Jefferson the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history.”
The Vikings front office and Jefferson’s representation have worked to finalize the agreement for about 17 months. It’s been in the backdrop of Minnesota’s orbit for a year and a half.
“So it will be a landmark type of a deal, and I think some of the other WRs are waiting to see where the Justin Jefferson deal comes in before they do a deal because they know the size and scope of this deal that the two sides have been working on throughout the course of the offseason,” Schefter added.
Not everyone believes the talks are proceeding swimmingly, though. Pro Football Talk‘s Mike Florio joined KFAN this week and composed a theory suggesting Minnesota is playing hardball with Jefferson’s extension. “If you want him, you pay him. If you don’t, you trade him. You don’t do this half-measure; we’re gonna play games with him. And my intel is, from Jefferson’s perspective, there may be a perception that they’re playing games with him, and that doesn’t end well. F around and find out is the mantra that they need to keep in mind if they are indeed effing around with JJ,” Florio opined.
Everyone within the organization says the opposite of Florio’s theory. Head coach Kevin O’Connell noted last week, “I know everything’s gonna get worked out there. Justin knows the love and admiration that I have for him. He knows he’s such a big part of what we do around here. That’s on the field and off the field. Bringing such a great energy to our building every single day.”
Adofo-Mensah also hinted after April’s draft that an extension was close. He said, “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.”
So, Schefter’s theory on SportsCenter more closely aligns with O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah than Florio’s. His opinion might be a bit more trustworthy.
Jefferson will turn 25 next month.
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.