The Minnesota Vikings have made some major changes to their offense this offseason. Long-time contributors, running back Dalvin Cook and wide receiver Adam Thielen were both moved on from as cut candidates. Both have been very productive for the Vikings in their careers but their contracts were expensive and Minnesota opted to save some money over keeping them long-term.
Despite the losses, the pieces are still in place for the Vikings to have a very explosive offense. Kirk Cousins is a solid quarterback and replacements were already found. Alexander Mattison should lead the backfield after re-signing with the team in free agency.
At wide receiver, the Vikings used their first-round pick on Jordan Addison out of USC. Addison is renowned for his precise route running and should be the second or third option in the passing game. T.J. Hockenson will be mixed in with him, but both will be behind star wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson has taken the football world by storm since being drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He has broken numerous records in that amount of time and there are plenty more in his crosshairs.
Despite entering Year 4, he is someone that ESPN NFL insider Field Yates believes should receive a contract extension. In his opinion, working out a long-term deal with their star wide receiver is the one move the Vikings need to make before the offseason is over.
“I thought about writing a bunch of words about this move, and then I decided to just watch Jefferson’s highlights on YouTube. He has arguably been the league’s most prolific receiver through every season of his career. Pay him! And probably more than any other receiver ever.”
In three seasons, Jefferson has caught 324 passes for 4,825 yards and 25 touchdowns. A very strong argument could be made that he is the best wide receiver in the NFL and with how much the wide receiver market has boomed, signing him to a deal as soon as possible makes sense.
Things are only going to get more expensive at the position with Jefferson’s LSU teammate, Ja’Marr Chase, becoming extension-eligible next offseason. While deals for non-quarterbacks after Year 3 are unprecedented, this is something that the Vikings would benefit long-term from getting done.
