The Justin Jefferson contract saga has come to a close. The Vikings have a deal in place for the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year in place, and it will meet his goal of becoming the league’s highest earner amongst non-quarterbacks. 
Jefferson has reached agreement on a four-year, $140MM extension, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. The monster deal includes $110MM guaranteed and once again resets the top of the receiver market. He will see just under $89MM locked in at signing, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter; that figure further puts Jefferson in a tier of his own. The 24-year-old is now under contract through 2028. Minnesota has since announced the move.
[RELATED: Teams Prepared Two-First-Rounder Offers For Jefferson?]
Team and player came close to an agreement last offseason, but talks were put on hold during the 2023 campaign. Jefferson missed seven games due to a hamstring injury, but to little surprise that ailment did not hinder his bargaining power. Schefter reports the three-time Pro Bowler turned down an offer carrying an average annual value of more than $28MM last summer. Now, Jefferson has a deal in place worth $35MM per year.
Like many other players angling for new deals, the LSU alum – who was set to play out his $19.74MM fifth-year option in 2024 – stayed away from voluntary OTAs. Minnesota had plenty of time to continue negotiations even after a brief pause during the draft considering the team’s intentions of retaining him for the long term. Schefter adds that multiple teams made trade inquiries about Jefferson this offseason, each of which were emphatically shot down.
An historic start in terms of production has led to one first-team All-Pro nod and a pair of second-team selections early in his career. Jefferson’s statistical output – 5,899 yards, 30 touchdowns in 60 games – gave him considerable leverage to not only move to the top of the pecking order at the WR position but surpass Nick Bosa‘s 2023 49ers extension in terms of raising the bar for non-quarterbacks. Bosa’s then-record breaking extension is worth $34MM per season, and Jefferson has managed to outpace it on this pact.
The 2024 offseason has seen plenty of big-ticket deals signed at the receiver spot, and the $30MM-per-year threshold was surpassed by both Amon-Ra St. Brown and A.J. Brown on their respective deals. The expectation remained that Jefferson, along with CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys) and Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals) would represent a tier of their own with respect to value, with each standout waiting for the others to sign to gauge the market. Jefferson has become the first member of that trio to put pen to paper, and Lamb and Chase will no doubt look to use today’s agreement as a new benchmark.
Minnesota’s offense will look much different in 2024 given Kirk Cousins‘ free agent departure. Sam Darnold was added as a short-term replacement, inking a one-year, $10MM deal. As expected, the Vikings then used their top draft pick on a signal-caller by selecting J.J. McCarthy 10th overall. The latter represents the team’s QB of the future, although questions have been raised about his NFL viability given his age and lack of usage in the passing game at Michigan. Having Jefferson in place will obviously help McCarthy acclimate to the pro game when he takes on starting duties.
The Vikings also have Jordan Addison attached to his rookie deal for at least the next three years (or four, if his fifth-year option gets picked up). Minnesota’s skill-position corps includes tight end T.J. Hockenson, who inked a $16.5MM-per-year extension last offseason to move him near the top of the market at his position. Regardless of the level of quarterback play the team sees moving forward, expectations will be high in the passing game given the investments made amongst pass-catchers.
Jefferson will remain a focal point in that respect for the foreseeable future. His ability to remain an elite producer with new signal-callers in place will be worth watching closely, as will the domino effect this deal generates amongst other extension-eligible wideouts.
If you aren’t going to shell out to keep quite possibly the best receiver in football, what’s the point of having a whole rookie contract and a ton of other cap space headed your way? It’s an eye popping number, but in a league where teams will trade first round picks for the right to then give out mega contracts to elite receivers, merely paying to hold onto one is a pretty good value.
If only they had anyone worth a dam to throw him the ball
We’ll see. I’m not the biggest McCarthy booster, but I think he’s more of an undeveloped unknown than a guy who looks lousy. He’s talented, very young, and in a great situation for a QB to develop. He’s also going to be so cheap for the next few years that if he can develop into a mid-tier starting QB, he’s a great value.
Was hoping to get him out of Lions division lol ,smart move by Vikings
He has earned that! this should set the ceiling for the other wrs like Lamb, Higgings, & Aiyuk not going to top JJ’s contract.
Honestly thought it’d be a lot higher
Other guys are sitting at around 4 years 120 mill he’s at 4 years 140 mill.
This is HUGE for McCarthy. Honestly thought Jefferson would get more, but good for him. Staying in Minny unlike Diggs did.
The Vikings were uniquely positioned to make this deal – but if McCarthy doesn’t work out this is just going to be wasted money.
Could not agree more. He doesn’t have cousins any more and it’s either JJ or Sam.
Should have waited a season. Could have franchised him next year if needed
He wasn’t going to play on his final year, one bad hit and this contract would have been gone.
He wasn’t going to play?
You cannot be serious. That’s a joke
89 million completely guaranteed at signing. That’s life changing money. Well deserved for an amazing young player. Wow
The Vikings are a long way from being a playoff-capable team, thus this seems like a waste (except to Jefferson). I would have traded him and used the money to pay four other capable starters.
I respectfully disagree. Jefferson is a game changing weapon and one of the best receivers of the decade. He can singlehandedly (no pun intended) change the scope of a game. IMO Vikings give up on McCarthy before even playing him if they trade Jefferson. Vikings doing their job surrounding McCarthy with a good supporting cast. Now McCarthy actually has a chance to prove himself
The Vikings were 1-4 with Jefferson in the line-up without Cousins. Receivers are clearly superfluous without an adequate quarterback.
Cousins was also 3-0 without Jefferson in the lineup. Does that make Brandon Powell (who took Osborn’s place who took Addison’s place, so on) better than Jefferson? Vikings also went 1-4 with Jefferson and Cousins in the lineup at once. Jefferson actually had MORE receiving yards per game without Cousins in the lineup excluding the game he left in the 2Q (4 games,119 yrds to 5 games,114.2 yrds). Jefferson arguably played better and stepped up with worse QB play. Was it his fault Vikes lost both DET games when he put up 141 and 192, 2TDs? Vikings receiver trio without Jefferson are Addison/Powell/Sherfield. Can’t see McCarthy having a chance in the league with that group unless he’s the reincarnation of Brady. With Jefferson and the cast Oooof mentioned below, Vikes can properly evaluate McCarthy and maybe win alot while he’s on his rookie deal. Sorry for this rant man but I’ll die on this hill.
They’ve got two good tackles and one of the better tight ends in the game, plus what looks like a good number two receiver on a rookie deal. If McCarthy can develop into even a mid-tier starter, that’s an offense that can make some noise. The defensive side is still pretty thin, but Flores did some great work last year, and they’ll have a ton of cap space next year. I can see the plan, even if that division is getting tougher by the day.
How many Super Bowls have the players below won for their current team?
NFL’s highest-paid receivers: Total contract value
T-1. Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders: $140,000,000
T-1. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings: $140,000,000
3. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions: $120,010,000
4. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins: $120,000,000
5. Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns: $100,000,000
6. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles: $96,000,000
7. Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans: $92,000,000
8. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins: $84,750,000
T-9. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams: $80,100,000
T-9 Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears: $80,100,000
Just Cooper Kupp with 1 SB win.
OK, now how many of the players on top ten contracts for left tackle have won a Super Bowl with their current team? Zero. How many of the top ten edge rusher contracts? Zero. How many of the top ten cornerback contracts? One.
Since everyone on your list has been in the league, 9 of 11 Super Bowls have been won by either Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, or Patrick Mahomes. In the absence of one of the very best quarterbacks of all-time, it’s still worth paying to have one of the best players in football at one of the most valuable positions in football.
Is it really zero SB for the top ten paid left tackles? I’d have to look that up.
From your info, seems like having a top QB is more important (I know, that’s a “no duh” statement).
It surprised me when I saw the top 10 WR contracts and little to show for it in terms of Super Bowls. It’s nothing more than an observation.
In fairness, most of those guys are still early in their careers, Hill won a Super Bowl his last stop, Brown went to one his first year as an Eagle, and two of those guys haven’t played a snap for their current team yet.
I think it’s much harder to spend your way to a championship in football than in baseball. Of course you could make the game officials “an offer they can’t refuse” to give yourself a bit of an edge.
Using SB wins as analogy for paying WRs (especially total contract value vs guaranteed money) is a bit skewed lol
How would you, if at all, present it then? It’s just one data observation.
You really can’t quantify the NFL with too many stats. It’s a team game. KC just won the SB with no good WRs, but really good QB/RB/TE and a really good D. And I’ll note that was after they got rid of Tyreek Hill. But they also won the SB with Tyreek too. NE also won with great QB play, sometimes with good WRs, sometimes without. But their Ds were always good. They’re really isn’t a formula for winning a SB. You need a really good QB to do it, or a system guy like Purdy or Jimmy G with a talented team and solid OL/DL surrounding him. It really comes down moving the ball, getting 1st downs, and scoring TDs. Then stopping the other team from doing the same.
I love the fact that most championships are won by teams, not individuals.
The Bills found out that teams adjusted their defenses to cover Diggs and shut him down. The Vikings will regret the Cap Hell they just voluntarily put themselves in. Even if he catches 12-14 per game that alone will not win a championship
where do you get your info? the Vikings will have the 3rd or 4th most money available under the cap in 2025, when this contract becomes effective. with a rookie QB contract, they are not even close to cap hell
When you figure out the QB needs a line to protect him, and the defense has so many holes they can not get off the field that Jefferson can’t get the ball enough to make an impact.
But you are right you have the QB rookie contract until you need a proven Veteran QB to throw the ball consistently to the best WR
I’m not arguing how talented Jefferson is, he awesome but 35 million/ yr ; almost all guaranteed is the albatross which is weigh down the future options to address needs.
That’s my point
Like most of the posters here, I agree this is a no-brainer contract. If you look at this in a vacuum, it’s even more obvious. Would you rather have JJ than not?
I agree with another poster – thought it would be for more $.
His ability and attitude elevate the performance of those around him.
Relievers getting over 30 mill a year is crazy. 35 million is obscene.. How Miami Dolphins are gonna pay 2 receivers 30 mill plus and get a contract worked out with Tia is gonna be interesting. Guess they don’t think they will need to field a defense… atleast anyone much over minimum wage. That’s a lot of money going to 2 receivers and a QB.. Minnesota can pull this off with a rookie QB and no other expensive player on offense but some of these other teams are gonna be one dimensional at best
I’ve been saying for a while now that this is a bad game model that probably isn’t sustainable. It’s a bit surprising that these owners would not recognize the dangers of placing all your financial eggs in one basket. One wonders how they made a fortune in their other business endeavors without understanding basic investment strategies.
League is going to turn into you either have 1 great QB or 1 great WR on your team. The other will have to be on a rookie contract but seeing as how WRs are getting paid after 3 years that will be a short combo
Having 2 players drawing 25% or more of the cap allowance is a disaster waiting to happen. If even one of those players misses significant playing time because of injuries…your season could quickly be on life support.
Get those stacks because you probably won’t get those stats ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Justin Jefferson has been paid. Let’s see what the real world productivity is for this fully guaranteed contract. There will either be QB communication issues, injury issues, motivations issues, coaching issues but productivity is almost certain to drop.
$35 million/year for a receiver is bad news. At this price, Minnesota would have been better off to make Jefferson play out his fifth year option, tag him once, tag him twice and trade him on his second tag.
If Jefferson didn’t want to play out his 5th year and his tag because he’s worried about injury, then he could sign a more reasonable contract now for his extension, also with a big injury guarantee.
At this point, the top players have taken the league, both owners and the rest of the players, hostage. According to game theory, the manifest and highly visible unfairness will end up busting up the league. Americans seem to have been hard-programmed to accept winner-take-all more than other people so perhaps the NFL will manage to keep a lid on human nature for a few more seasons.
In recent weeks, people in this board pined for their teams to obtain JJets#18
Or theorized he wanted out of MN
Now he’s “too expensive”
Got it