WR Justin Jefferson has agreed to a four-year, $140 million deal extension with the Vikings.
NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero claimed on Monday that the Minnesota Vikings had signed Justin Jefferson to a four-year,
$140 million contract deal, with $110 million guaranteed. Their report was based on sources.
In an effort to allay fears in Minnesota,
Justin Jefferson himself broke the news on social media, stating that he had “signed the deal I’ve been waiting for since I was a kid.” The news was promptly officially announced by the Vikings.
In addition to resetting the wide receiver market, the three-time Pro Bowler’s large extension also elevated Jefferson to the position of highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
With Justin Jefferson’s new contract,
a rumored offseason drama comes to an end. A number of wide receivers, including Amon-Ra St.
Brown of Detroit, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith of Philadelphia, Jaylen Waddle of Miami, Nico Collins of Houston, Michael Pittman of Indianapolis, and Calvin Ridley of Tennessee, all signed large contracts before this.
With a new contract worth $35 million annually,
Justin Jefferson eclipses San Francisco’s Nick Bosa as the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, surpassing Brown’s record-setting deal announced in April.
Jefferson signed a contract that runs through the 2028 campaign, and Pelissero pointed out that he also receives $89 million in fully guaranteed money.
Jefferson has established himself as one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers since joining as a first-round selection in 2020 and has produced unprecedented results deserving of such a significant investment.
Only five players had more than 5,000 receiving yards in their first four seasons,
including Justin jefferson, whose 5,899 career yards are over 400 more than any other player in NFL history during the same time period, according to NFL Research.
In addition, his 98.3 receiving yards per game are the greatest in NFL history (minimum 50 games), and during the last four seasons, he has increased that average yearly (87.5, 95.1, 106.4, and 107.4 in 2023).
2022 was Jefferson’s greatest season as he set league records for receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809), winning both his first All-Pro selection and the AP Offensive Player of the Year Award.
After Kirk Cousins left in the offseason,
Jefferson will have a new quarterback in 2024 thanks to his new pay.
Veteran Sam Darnold or youngster J.J. McCarthy may be the next guy to profit from Jefferson’s outstanding play.
The Vikings are in prime position to benefit from Jefferson’s long-awaited deal as they kick up mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.
