Justin Jefferson Signs Historic Deal with Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings and Justin Jefferson have finally agreed to a contract extension. The deal is for a four-year, $140 million contract extension for the star wide receiver. The deal includes $110 million guaranteed.  It makes Justin Jefferson the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf said in a statement that Jefferson has “earned this contract, and we are thrilled he will remain a Minnesota Viking for a very long time.” “The time has finally come. The deal I’ve been waiting for since I was a little kid,” Jefferson said in a video posted to Instagram. The day before the 2023 season started, Jefferson declined a contract offer from the Vikings that would have paid him over $28 million annually. The three-time Pro Bowler instead bet on himself, and the bet paid off, with Jefferson’s four-year extension averaging $35 million per season.

That average annual value is $1 million more than the previous non-quarterback record for San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa. There were multiple teams this offseason that inquired about trading for Jefferson, according to league sources. But the Vikings let each one of them know they had zero intention of trading Jefferson, who is off to a historic four-year start in the NFL. Since being selected by the Vikings with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 draft, Jefferson has 392 receptions for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns. The 2022 Offensive Player of the Year, Jefferson has averaged 98.3 receiving yards per game — the most in NFL history for any career span — and his average of 6.5 catches per game is the second highest of any receiver in his first four seasons. The Vikings signed Sam Darnold and drafted J.J. McCarthy to replace Kirk Cousins.

 

What do you think about Justin Jefferson signing to largest non-quarterback contract in the league? How will it affect CeeDee Lamb, JaMarr Chase, and Tee Higgins? Leave some feedback below.