The No-Brainer Move of the Vikings Offseason Officially Happened
Josh Frey
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Heading into the 2023 Vikings offseason, there is one move that was more likely than just about any other in the entire NFL: the Vikings exercising the fifth-year option for star WR Justin Jefferson. On Tuesday afternoon, the no-brainer move officially happened for the Vikings, as reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Jefferson, the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has done nothing but surpass expectations ever since joining the Vikings after a terrific collegiate career at LSU. The production is even more relevant as it came as a direct result of the trade that sent Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills.
In his first three NFL seasons, the Vikings star has recorded 324 receptions, 4825 yards, and 25 touchdowns. The 4825 yards are by far the most from any receiver through his first three seasons in NFL history while his 128 receptions and 1809 receiving yards in 2022 led the NFL and won him the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award.
Over these years, we’ve been gifted with many jaw-dropping moments, but first and foremost among them has to be his 4th-and-18 grab against the Buffalo Bills this past season. You know the one. It was so good that it even left the official NFL Twitter account at a loss for coherent words.
Jefferson’s fifth-year option carries with it a price tag of $19.7 million, about $10 million under the going rate for some of the top receivers in the NFL. It also ensures that he will be in a Vikings uniform at least through the 2024 season. Hopefully, a long-term extension will keep him in Minnesota for much longer than that.
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.