The Minnesota Vikings have locked up star wide receiver Justin Jefferson to a monster four-year, $140-million contract extension, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Monday.
The new deal pays Jefferson $110 million guaranteed and makes him the NFL’s highest paid non-quarterback at $35 million per season.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Jefferson’s contract also included an $88.7 million signing bonus.
“The time has finally come — the deal I have been waiting for since I was a little kid,” Jefferson said in a video on his Instagram account. “First off, I want to thank the man above. Without God, this wouldn’t be possible at all. To be given a gift to play football at the highest level, it’s a blessing, an honour.
“To my mom and dad, thank you. This is a journey for all of us, and y’all are still with us every step of the way,” Jefferson added. “To my brothers, Rickey and Jordan, y’all are everything. Y’all made me who I am today. This is a new step in our journey, a new step in life. I always dreamt of this moment and to now share it with all of y’all — a dream that we all had, it’s a blessing.”
There were concerns Jefferson would miss the start of training camp as he awaited a new contract extension.
Since entering the NFL in 2020, Jefferson ranks sixth in receptions, second in yards and is tied for 11th in touchdown catches despite missing seven full games in 2023.
The 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year has 5,899 career receiving yards which are the most in league history through a player’s first four seasons.
Amon-Ra St. Brown and the Detroit Lions struck the latest big-money deal for a wide receiver last month with a contract worth about $120 million over four years with $77 million guaranteed. That same week, the Philadelphia Eagles reached a $96 million extension with receiver A.J. Brown with $84 million guaranteed that set a new high for the position. Brown’s annual average value of $32 million is also the league leader for receivers, according to figures compiled by Over The Cap.
–With files from the Associated Press.
The Minnesota Vikings have locked in one of their key offensive weapons for the foreseeable future, as wide receiver Justin Jefferson has signed a four-year contract extension with the team. The deal is reportedly worth $72 million, with $47 million guaranteed.
Jefferson, who was selected by the Vikings in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, quickly made a name for himself as one of the league’s top young receivers. In his rookie season, he set a new NFL record for receiving yards by a rookie with 1,400 yards, surpassing the previous mark set by Anquan Boldin in 2003.
The LSU product quickly developed a strong rapport with quarterback Kirk Cousins and became a favorite target in the Vikings’ passing attack. His combination of speed, route-running ability, and hands made him a nightmare for opposing defenses to cover.
With Jefferson now locked up long-term, the Vikings can continue to build around him and Cousins on offense. The duo has the potential to be one of the most dynamic quarterback-wide receiver combinations in the league for years to come.
In addition to his on-field production, Jefferson has also become a fan favorite in Minnesota for his infectious personality and work ethic. He has quickly become a leader in the locker room and a player that his teammates look up to.
Overall, this contract extension is a win-win for both Jefferson and the Vikings. Jefferson gets the security of a long-term deal and the chance to continue to grow and develop as a player in Minnesota, while the Vikings secure one of their top offensive playmakers for the foreseeable future. With Jefferson locked in, the Vikings can now turn their attention to building a championship-caliber team around him.