The Vikings have signed wide receiver Jarius Wright to a contract extension, the team announced today in a press release. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), it’s a four-year extension worth $14.8MM, with $7MM in guaranteed money.
Wright, 25, has been with the Vikings since the team selected him in the fourth round of the 2012 draft. In 2014, he established new career highs in games started (seven), receptions (42), and receiving yards (588), and was also a threat to run the ball, racking up 71 rushing yards on five attempts. He had been set to earn $1.542MM in 2015, the final year of his rookie contract.
“Jarius has been a key member of our offense since we drafted him in 2012 and we felt it was necessary to secure his future with our organization,” GM Rick Spielman said in a statement. “His commitment to this team, hard work and leadership in the WR room are several of the intangibles that he brings to our club on a daily basis and we’re excited for his future with the Vikings. With the help of WR coach George Stewart, Jarius has greatly improved since coming to Minnesota. This extension stays true to our philosophy of drafting young talent, developing them in our system and rewarding their success.”
Wright heads into the season as Minnesota’s third receiver behind Charles Johnson and Mike Wallace, and his new deal is similar to the ones signed by a couple other slot wideouts recently — Cole Beasley of the Cowboys and Jeremy Kerley of the Jets each inked four-year pacts worth between $3.4MM and $3.5MM annually, so Wright did a little better with his $3.7MM annual average.
When are we going to sign Harrison Smith? I think he should have been a priority of Wright.
Are you kidding? Those are two very different situation. A third string WR vs a premier safetey. There are a lot more dynamics and to say that they signed Wright first was due to lack of “priority” is downright ignorant of the fact that you have no idea on what is going on behind the scenes.
Word
I know what’s going on and we’re working on a 8 player 5 draft pick scenario with the cowgirls. It’s never to late to get even
Congrats Jarius. Proud of you. Go Hogs!
Jarius deserves every bit of success he is recieving,go vikings!
Congrats Jarius u deserve every bit of what they gave u u earned it keep up the good work and keep God first there are more blessings to come your way
I thing Diggs is going to replace him in a year or two. Like AP said contracts are only good for the team?
Proud of you # 4. #WPS