Griddy Time: Justin Jefferson Turns 24 Today
Yes, just 24. Somehow, the Vikings’ phenom at wide receiver is just getting into his mid 20s. Pretty wild.
Happy birthday to Justin Jefferson, the best receiver in the NFL. Celebrate at home by doing the griddy.
For all of the craziness that swirls around the Vikings, Jefferson feels like an area of repose. A safe harbor amid choppy seas. His contract extension remains a work in progress and yet he shows up to minicamp. Even better, the young receiver is planning on being at training camp regardless of where things stand with his contract.
Speaking to reporters earlier in the week, Jefferson discussed how excited he was to be back around the guys and how he’s gunning for a Super Bowl. “The contract comes with the game,” Jefferson clarified, “my agent and stuff handles that.” So far, Jefferson has shown absolutely no signs of slowing down. All he needs to do is keep playing in his normal manner and he’ll get paid. Very handsomely, in fact.
After just a few seasons, Justin Jefferson has been a second-team All Pro twice and a first-team All Pro once. He has been to the Pro Bowl in each season and recently won the league’s Offensive Player of the Year Award. The MVP is essentially a QB award now, but the WR did finish 5th overall in the MVP voting.
The wild thing is that he’s still so young, despite Jefferson referring to himself as being an “older guy” later in his discussion with reporters.
Previously, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has mentioned bringing his star receiver into conversations about the direction of the team. The GM understands that the youthful WR is the roster’s cornerstone player, someone the team simply can’t afford to proceed without. Keeping him happy and in a position to thrive is paramount to the team’s success.
Much of the offseason’s focus has centered around developing a Vikings roster that’s younger and leaner. Salary has been trimmed and vets have been released. In so many instances, the decisions have been made with an eye on #18.
Jordan Addison is supposed to take heat off Jefferson, and so too is Josh Oliver. Returning essentially full continuity along the OL and at QB similarly helps the receiver to be able to hit the ground running in 2023. Kevin O’Connell, without question, has been putting in time creating plays designed to help his star receiver shake loose from even the toughest defenses.
In all likelihood, the team will decide to slap a “C” on Jefferson’s chest as the season arrives.
Currently, Jefferson is carrying a $4.175 million cap charge into the year. His hit swells to nearly $19.75 million next year due to the 5th-year option from his rookie deal being picked up. Once the extension is figured out, those numbers will inevitably change. His next contract is likely to reset the receiver market, a distinction he has earned through his play.
In a perfect world, the Vikings find a way of keeping him in a purple and gold uniform for the rest of his career. Happy birthday, Mr. Jefferson.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
