SI Report Suggests the Justin Jefferson Contract Extension Could Happen Very Soon
Coming into the 2023 NFL offseason, one of the top storylines across the NFL was the potential for a Justin Jefferson contract extension.
To this point, though, there has been little discourse surrounding the contract from the Vikings other than confidence that it will get done eventually.
A New Update on the Justin Jefferson Contract Situation
Well, “eventually” could happen very soon according a report from Albert Breer of SI.com. Within his “Monday Morning Quarterback” column this morning, Breer covered many different NFL topics, including the Jefferson contract. This is what the insider had to say:
No one’s talking much about it, but the Vikings are making an effort to get wide receiver Justin Jefferson signed before the season starts. Jefferson’s kept a pretty low profile about this one, and talks, as far as I can tell, have gone fine. When I visited with him a few weeks back, he told me his absence from parts of the offseason were about endorsement opportunities, not the contract. He did call getting a life-altering second contract “a dream of mine. It’s been a dream since I was 7 years old.” But then he added, “I’m definitely not letting that contract stuff get in the way of my team. We have to be focused on getting to the Super Bowl.” Easier to do, of course, when you know, sooner or later, you’ll be paid at the top of the market.
Simply put, Jefferson deserves a blank check from the Vikings. The 24-year-old receiver has had the most prolific start to his career of any receiver in NFL history in terms of total yardage. His 4825 yards through his first three seasons are easily the most of any player in league history.
If Jefferson keeps up his usual productivity in the fourth year of his career, he will have recorded more yards than any other NFL player through their first four seasons by about Week 7. Currently, Michael Thomas holds the record for most yards for a four-year player at 5512.
The single-season mark of 2000 yards is one that has eluded every receiver to this point, but Jefferson sits poised to attempt to go for the milestone once again this season. If Jefferson does break through and become the first player in NFL history to record 2000 receiving yards in a single season, not only would Jefferson break all the other records listed above, but he would also break the five-year receiving record.
Reminder, 2023 is Jefferson’s fourth NFL season. Currently, the most receiving yards through a player’s first five NFL seasons belongs to Torry Holt, who recorded 6784 yards during his first five years with the St. Louis Rams. Jefferson sits in 41st on that list, 1959 yards behind Holt.
Throughout his young career, Jefferson has been the heart and soul of the Vikings offense. He was one of the biggest reasons why Minnesota was able to win 13 games last season and claim an NFC North crown.
If a deal does happen within the next 13 days, it would set the Vikings up to have arguably the best wide receiver in the league for the long-term. With Kirk Cousins’ contract set to expire at the end of the year, Minnesota may opt to turn towards either Jaren Hall in 2024 or another draft pick at the QB position. Having a player like Jefferson around would make the NFL transition that much easier for a young quarterback.
However, regardless of who is throwing the ball in 2024, getting Jefferson a new deal should be at the top of Minnesota’s priorities heading into the new year. This report makes it seem like the wait may be over very soon.
2023 Vikings Roster Cuts Tracker
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.