2 Dominos Have Fallen for Thielen’s & Jefferson’s Next Contracts
K. Joudry
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Unless something unexpected happens, Adam Thielen won’t play for the Vikings in 2023 without a new deal. Unless something unexpected happens, Justin Jefferson won’t play for the Vikings in 2023 without a new deal. Vikings fans will thus be pleased to learn that 2 dominos have fallen for Thielen’s and Jefferson’s next contracts.
Thielen’s and Jefferson’s Next Contracts
Let’s start with the vet. Mr. Thielen has had an illustrious 9-year NFL career, all of which have come in Minnesota. Since he’s a hometown kid, Thielen is cherished among Vikings fans. Like seemingly everyone else, I think the world of Thielen. He’s a great pro who has done marvellous things for the franchise. Someday, he’ll be in the team’s Ring of Honor.
The issue, of course, is that his nearly $20 million cap hit is difficult to justify after 4-straight years coming in below 1,000 receiving yards. Given that he’s going to be 33 soon, Thielen is unlikely to regain some of his old elusiveness and speed.
It’s a good thing, then, to learn that conversations are ongoing about a new deal. Take a look at the word from the interview on The Pat McAfee Show:
We already knew that the discussions were taking place. Or, at the very least, we were 99% certain. Even still, it’s good to hear from at least one of the parties that a compromise is being sought. Thielen, a team captain, is coming off a 716 yard, 6 TD season. Far from dominant, but solid. He’d be missed if he goes elsewhere (especially if it’s to play alongside Aaron Rodgers).
Jefferson, of course, is the WR1 in Minnesota (and the NFL more broadly). An awful lot of folks in Minnesota have been concerned about how much it’ll cost to keep him in town for the foreseeable future. He has more than earned a sizable extension.
As if there was any doubt, Jefferson further proved that he’s the Vikings’ clear-cut best player in 2022. He did so through his 128 catches, 1809 yards, and 8 TDs. Not too shabby. Without any exaggeration, we can say that he’s had a historically-great beginning to his career.
Minnesota will not be declining his fifth-year option. It’s of some significance, then, that we now know what the WR option will cost: $19,743,000. Jefferson is worth every penny (and a whole lot more pennies, for that matter).
Of course, the team could decide to ink #18 to a long extension during the offseason. In so doing, they may be able to lessen that cap hit in 2024. If he wants to, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah should be able to retain Jefferson’s elite play for several years (a long-term goal) while maintaining room in the budget in 2023 and 2024 (a short-term goal).
Obviously, much remains to be accomplished when it comes to Thielen’s and Jefferson’s new deals. Nevertheless, it’s encouraging to see that some progress has been made.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
