The Sneaky Fact about Justin Jefferson’s New Contract
This week got off to a hot start as Justin Jefferson inked a new contract with the Minnesota Vikings.
The star wide receiver’s new contract is a four-year deal worth a grand total of $140 million, which reset the non-QB market. Jefferson is now the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL, with his average annual value of $35 million surpassing that of Nick Bosa, whose contract has an AAV of $34 million.
Obviously, it is one of the Vikings’ main goals to fill their roster with young talent, and Jefferson’s contract just happens to align perfectly for that.
The Sneaky Fact about Justin Jefferson’s New Contract
Jefferson’s deal gives the Vikings five total years of the star receiver being in a purple jersey as he will still have the fifth and final year of his rookie contract this year before the massive contract officially kicks in.
This means Jefferson will hit free agency again in 2028. As a result, the star receiver’s contract will expire at the same time as QB J.J. McCarthy, assuming the Vikings pick up his fifth-year option. The Michigan product became the highest-selected QB in Vikings franchise history this spring when Minnesota took him with the 10th overall pick.
As a result, the Vikings are set to have five years without having to worry about contracts for either of their QB or star wide receiver.
The Vikings actually have quite the young core set in place for years to come.
In fact, all four of Jefferson, McCarthy, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson are under contract through the 2027 season (assuming the Vikings also pick up the fifth-year option for Addison in 2027) while Brian O’Neill is under contract through 2026.
The final piece of the puzzle for the offensive side of the ball comes in Christian Darrisaw’s eventual contract extension. The stalwart left tackle has two years left on his rookie deal after the Vikings exercised his fifth-year option back in May.
Then on the defensive side of the ball, both Dallas Turner and Jonathan Greenard are under contract through the 2027 season as well. Of course, Turner could have a fifth-year option exercised as well which would bring him to the 2028 season before hitting free agency.
All in all, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is identifying his franchise cornerstones and making sure they stay in place for the long term.
Editor’s Note: Information from Spotrac helped with this article.
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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.