Justin Jefferson has put up historic numbers to begin his career, and the Vikings are naturally interested in keeping him for the long run. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acknowledged today that the organization has had “preliminary conversations” with Jefferson’s camp about a long-term deal (via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Twitter).
ESPN’s Adam Schefter slightly pushed back at that report (on Twitter). A source told Schefter that while the two sides are expected to have contract talks this offseason, they haven’t officially started negotiations.
Either way, it sounds like the Vikings are prepared to pay to make Jefferson a long-term staple. This doesn’t come as a huge surprise; since entering the league as a 2020 first-round pick, Jefferson has averaged more than 100 receptions and 1,600 receiving yards per season. He took it to another level in 2022, finishing with 128 catches for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns (plus another score on the ground) en route to his first career first-team All-Pro nod. Jefferson also set an NFL record for most receiving yards through a player’s first three seasons.
Considering Jefferson’s youth and prolific production, there’s a good chance he’ll set at least one new contract benchmark at wide receiver. Davante Adams‘ contract leads the way with $140MM, but Jefferson could also strive for a league-setting AAV (Tyreek Hill, $30MM), total guarantee (Cooper Kupp, $75MM), and/or full guarantee (A.J. Brown, $56.4MM).
Considering the impending financial investment, Adofo-Mensah described the situation as a “champagne problem” for the front office to deal with.
“I wouldn’t use the word challenge,” Adofo-Mensah said (via Andrew Kramer of the Star Tribune). “You got a special player, a special person. Those aren’t problems. Or at least those are champagne problems. So we’ll start there.
“We’ll get back to [contract talks] in the planning. It really starts from the player, the person and we’ll work on solutions from there on.”
I know he’s young and can learn, but he seems to struggle to create separation on a quality cover corner. Not every team has a corner who can blanket him, I know, but is he worth a market setting extension right now?
As a Viking fan, no.. would rather have Donovan Peoples Jones and KJ Osborn catching balls from a QB who has will power and a defense worth a s*^%.
He’s absolutely worth a top of the market contract.
Yes he is easily the top WR in the NFL
He does struggle to create seperation against big, physical corners which is something he definitely has to work on…but a good playcaller/offense will find ways to get him open by moving him around pre-snap and lining him up in bunch formations. He’s also a superb route runner so there are still ways he can get open and create seperation on his own.
link to m.youtube.com
(Jefferson catch)
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That is all
The Vikings will lose more than 1/3 of the roster. There’s too many old, slow and overpaid guys that’ll be gone and rebuilds are painful. JJ will get his money like Adams but like Adams, he’ll feel the sting of no playoffs and a QB coming to the end of his purple life.
Can’t build a complete team because of Cousin’s contract and now they will give another boot full of cash for a wideout. Gonna just repeat the same old same old situation of no defense and no o line. Cousins is no team player and we will see about Jefferson now. Can they pay more $$$ than he will EVER need in a lifetime and still leave room for defense help or is his mind set to be paid the most in history at his position and break the bank. He will NEVER EVER see a Super Bowl breaking the bank.
Theilen/Hicks/Kendricks/Smith and Cook are all gone I believe. Had better hit some gems in UFA in the rookies.
Their offensive line was looking very good until a whole bunch of injuries hit at once. The defense needs a lot more talent, but they also got next to nothing out of Cine and Booth this year. Nickel and diming their best player because they have holes elsewhere on the roster is silly.