Extension Dominoes Are Beginning to Drop for the 2020 Draft Class

Feb 5, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; NFC wide receiver CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys (88) celebrates a touchdown against the AFC at the 2023 Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

One of the big questions that the Minnesota Vikings have faced this offseason is in regard to the looming Justin Jefferson extension. The 2020 Draft class is eligible for new contract extensions this summer, and while Minnesota is yet to offer a new contract to their star wide receiver, extension dominoes have begun to fall across the league.

Earlier this offseason, we saw Jalen Hurts land himself a massive extension to remain the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback for an additional five years, landing himself $255 million in total money, including $179.304 guaranteed.

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Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK.

This move allowed the Eagles to set the market at quarterback rather than allowing the Cincinnati Bengals or Los Angeles Chargers to beat them to the punch with Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert.

Many folks have been hoping the Vikings would pull a similar move with Jefferson, but it appears that will not be the case. Over the past few days, news has come out that the Dallas Cowboys are hoping to get an extension done with WR CeeDee Lamb. Jon Machota of The Athletic recently wrote that Dallas is contemplating a deal worth between $25 and $30 million per year.

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Nov 22, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

Currently, the highest paid receiver in the league is Tyreek Hill, who signed a four-year contract with the Miami Dolphins last year worth a total of $120 million, an annual average of $30 million per year.

If Lamb were to get a deal that approaches Hill’s contract, Jefferson has every right to ask for even more money than that. Of course, the Vikings star has already come out and said that he will be at training camp and participating no matter what his contract situation looks like later this summer.

As a result, there can be at least some comfort taken in the fact that we won’t see a Jefferson hold out, unlike the situation currently going on with Danielle Hunter. Regardless, the point stands, the longer Minnesota waits, the higher Jefferson’s price tag likely gets.

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.

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