Justin Jefferson Absent as Vikings’ Offseason Workouts Begin
Josh Frey
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On Monday, April 15th, the Minnesota Vikings began their voluntary offseason workout program.
This period, while not mandatory, allows players to get back into the team facilities and begin preparations for the upcoming season. However, one player who was notably absent from the first day of workouts was WR Justin Jefferson.
Justin Jefferson not in the Building for First Offseason Workout
Kevin O’Connell addressed the media as the voluntary workout period began, and he said, “[Jefferson] is not here today but remains to be seen what the rest of the program looks like.”
This shouldn’t come as a major surprise to anybody. First and foremost, Jefferson is waiting to receive a new contract extension that very well could be a record-breaking one for a non-quarterback player. It will be a well-deserved deal when it gets done as well, seeing as Jefferson has put together ridiculous numbers over his first four NFL seasons.
Additionally, Jefferson was not present at the voluntary workouts last offseason, either. He instead waited until mandatory minicamp in June to make his first appearance at a Vikings workout, missing not only the voluntary workout period but also OTAs.
The hope obviously is that Jefferson and the Vikings can get a deal done sooner rather than later and get him back in the facilities. “My hope is we can get him around the team. He’s obviously such a special player, but it goes beyond that, especially this time of year, because of just the energy and the flat out way he comes, and when he’s in this building and he goes to work and how his teammates respond to him,” O’Connell added.
At the end of the day, though, it seems like Jefferson will need to get that deal done before he steps into the building. O’Connell seemed to allude to that idea by saying, “Want [Jefferson] here as much as we can have him, but I also understand there’s a lot of factors involved.”
Jefferson isn’t the only star receiver sitting out these opening portions of voluntary workouts, though. Earlier on Monday, it was reported that Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb will also be sitting out the voluntary workouts in Dallas as he awaits a new contract of his own.
Adam Schefter tweeted, “Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb isn’t expected to attend the start of Dallas’ voluntary off-season program Monday while he awaits a new contract to replace the one scheduled to pay him a fully-guaranteed $17.199 million for his upcoming fifth-year option season.”
In the end, Jefferson’s absence shouldn’t raise alarm bells for Vikings fans. The receiver is the consummate pro and likely has been putting in plenty of work behind the scenes in order to stay in shape and come back better than ever when he does return to the field.
Jefferson, a three-time Pro Bowler, will turn 25 years old on June 16th.
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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.