The Vikings’ 3 Main Extension Candidates
K. Joudry
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Some extensions feel more like a “when” rather than an “if.”
Indeed, the Vikings’ 3 main extension candidates have proven crucial to the team’s success. Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Danielle Hunter are all among the game’s best players at their position. Making extensions even more likely is that the trio marries top-tier play with some youth. Hunter is the oldest, but he’s still only 28.
Coming into the offseason, I predicted that we’d see a Kirk Cousins extension. That’s still a possibility, but the decision to restructure his deal makes an extension more unlikely. Not impossible, but unlikely.
At this stage, Jefferson, Hockenson, and Hunter are more plausible. Pushing things to the max would involve saving more than $10 million on the 2023 cap, so let’s discuss the situation for each.
The Vikings’ 3 Main Extension Candidates
#1 – Wide Receiver Justin Jefferson
We’ve been wondering about this extension for a long time.
Previously, I speculated that we’d see Jefferson reset the receiver market by locking in $80 million in guaranteed money.
Last season’s Offensive Player of the Year, Jefferson secured 128 catches, 1809 yards, and 8 TDs. Perhaps the main two times he appeared to be stifled came in Week 2 and Week 17. In both instances, he was being matched up with a top-tier corner (Darius Slay and Jaire Alexander), playing on the road, and operating within an offense that was struggling in a major way.
For the upcoming season, the offense needs to prioritize finding ways of getting him going in less than ideal circumstances.
He will turn 24 in June.
Potential Savings in 2023: $1,111,578
#2 – Tight End T.J. Hockenson
For a little while, we’ve been discussing an extension for Hockenson. Simply put, the trade with the Lions means Kwesi Adofo-Mensah likely feels compelled to keep the talented tight end in town for several seasons. It’s bad business to equip a division rival with better draft picks unless one’s own team is getting a significant addition.
In just 10 games with the Vikings, Hockenson had 60 catches, 519 yards, and 3 TDs. For the season in its entirety, he had 86 catches, 914 yards, and 6 touchdowns. The catches rank 2nd in the NFL among tight ends and so too do the yards.
With so much heat on Jefferson on a week-in, week-out basis, the Vikings need to ensure they’re equipping their offense with other capable threats. Hockenson is part of the solution, someone who can punish defenses for overloading their coverage on #18. I’m expecting a long-term deal that keeps him in the Purple & Gold throughout his prime.
He will turn 26 in July.
Potential Savings in 2023: $6,599,200
#3 – Edge Rusher Danielle Hunter
It’s supremely difficult to unearth elite edge rushers. Very reasonably, teams hold on tight when they get one in the building. As a result, we shouldn’t be overly surprised if we see Mr. Hunter agreeing to a new deal in the summer months.
The man battled serious injury in both 2020 and 2021. Unsurprisingly, the defense struggled to replace him in those years. In 2022, he was arguably the defense’s best player.
Hunter finished the season as the 7th-best edge rusher on PFF. He did so while adjusting to playing outside linebacker and while working within a bland, predictable defense that intimated nobody. What’s he going to do in the Brian Flores defense? If healthy, he’s going to be a nightmare to block.
He will turn 29 in October.
Potential Savings in 2023: $3,068,000
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, StatMuse, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
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