The Jefferson/Thielen Duo Has a Two-Year Timeline
There has been no shortage of consternation among Vikings fans when it comes to Justin Jefferson’s next contract. While it’s certainty noteworthy to see worse receivers sign gargantuan deals, fans need to remember something very important: if a team’s main problem rests in needing to pay their historically great young player, then things are going pretty well.
Indeed, don’t be discouraged by Jefferson’s upcoming payday. Instead, celebrate the fact that Minnesota added someone who is so worthy of getting a massive extension.
PFT recently had the chance to ask Kwesi Adofo-Mensah about the situation. Take a peak at the GM’s response:
Whatever you decide, make sure that you appreciate the likelihood of replacing that kind of skill set. . . . I’ve had conversations with Justin and his agent; I’ll keep those conversations to us alone, but when you’re doing these conversations you think about the value of the player, but also where you are as a team. If your team construct was in a place where maybe you’re far away from winning, maybe you’d make a different decision. We don’t plan to be that way so I’m not trying to say that, but I think every decision is kind of made and people think about these decisions in isolation, but they’re made as a part of a portfolio of decisions. If you look at the decisions made in this offseason, I think you can tell that.
Adofo-Mensah, reasonably enough, is already thinking about the next Justin Jefferson contract. It seems likely that the team is intentionally partnering the current discount with a veteran receiver’s costly deal.
Adam Thielen will carry close to a $11.7 million cap hit into 2022. That number grows to just under $20 million in 2023. It’ll increase again in 2024, but there are some important details to remember. First, the guaranteed money runs out following this season. Second, he can be cut in 2024 while leaving behind $7 million in dead money. Doing so would clear close to $15 million.
Place this timeline alongside Justin Jefferson and his rookie contract. For the next two seasons, Jefferson will likely be way underpaid. He will get a sizable raise starting in 2024. My point, folks, is that as Jefferson’s money starts to really climb, Thielen will likely be looking for work.
Obviously, there is still reason for some concern in this scenario. Losing Thielen isn’t a good thing. Nevertheless, the hope is that Jefferson can continue growing. Moreover, K.J. Osborn, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, and Jalen Nailor may prove they’re capable of taking on the WR2 spot in Minnesota. If they do, then moving on from Thielen isn’t as painful.
These issues, of course, are a problem for a different day. In the immediate, the Vikings have found a way to balance the Adam Thielen contract with the one that Justin Jefferson has. The passing attack ought to be among the NFL’s best.
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