Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is still without a new contract after four seasons, but a former Vikings general manager does not think that will last very long.
Jeff Diamond, who worked for the Vikings’ organization from 1976 through 1998 and was named Executive of the Year in his final season with the club, expects Minnesota to strike a long-term deal with Jefferson this offseason.
In a piece he wrote for The 33rd Team, Diamond explains that he thinks the Vikings will extend Jefferson before March 13, which would allow them to save some money against the salary cap.
Jefferson is widely expected to land the largest non-quarterback contract in NFL history, and Diamond is projecting that that will, in fact, occur.
“I predict the extension will come in at $172.5 million over the five new years from 2025-2029 but Jefferson’s agents will shoot for $175 million — a $35 million average in new money — and settle at $34.5 million per year,” Diamond wrote. “Expect Jefferson’s deal to include a $50 million signing bonus … and $125 million guaranteed.”
Jefferson was limited to just 10 games this season due to a hamstring injury, but when he was on the field, he was brilliant, catching 68 passes for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns.
The 24-year-old, who played his collegiate football at LSU, was selected by Minnesota with the 22nd overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Since then, Jefferson has established himself as one of the most explosive offensive talents in the league, earning Pro Bowl selections in each of his first three seasons. His best year to date came in 2022, when he led the NFL in receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809) to go along with eight scores. He notched First-Team All-Pro honors for his efforts that season.
The Vikings went 7-10 in 2023, largely due to injuries up and down the roster.
We’ll see how heavily Minnesota prioritizes inking an extension with Justin Jefferson in the coming weeks and months.
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