Vikings Sign Justin Jefferson To Historic $140 Million Extension – Is He Worth It?

The Minnesota Vikings and star wide receiver Justin Jefferson have agreed to a landmark four-year, $140 million contract extension, with $110 million guaranteed. This deal makes Jefferson the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

The contract, which WME Football brokered, includes $88.743 million due at signing. The Vikings announced that Jefferson’s extension will keep him with the team through the 2028 season, although they did not disclose financial details.

“The time has finally come. The deal I’ve been waiting for since I was a little kid,” Jefferson said in an Instagram video. “Being doubted my whole career. Not being highly recruited. Not being the first receiver off the draft board. This whole journey wasn’t easy for me. … To be given a gift to play football at the highest level is a blessing. It’s an honor.”

Jefferson’s $110 million guaranteed money sets a new benchmark for comprehensive receiver contracts, surpassing other top earners like A.J. Brown and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf expressed their enthusiasm about the deal. “Justin has earned this contract, and we are thrilled he will remain a Minnesota Viking for a very long time,“ they said in a statement. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah praised Jefferson’s impact on and off the field. “He is the living embodiment of our culture with his joyful dedication to process and our goals. We couldn’t be more excited for Justin and his family.”

The agreement comes after Jefferson declined a previous contract offer from the Vikings that would have paid him over $28 million annually. By betting on himself, Jefferson secured a deal with an average annual value of $35 million, surpassing the previous non-quarterback record held by San Francisco 49ers’ Nick Bosa.

Since being drafted 22nd overall by the Vikings in 2020, Jefferson has amassed 392 receptions for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns. His 98.3 receiving yards per game is the highest average in NFL history for any career span, and he holds the record for the most receiving yards in the first three seasons of a career with 4,825.

“Justin is an exceptionally talented player and an incredible person that I am honored to coach and have as a team captain,“ Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell told ESPN. “His positive energy and love for the game shows up daily as he works to be the best at his craft.”

The Vikings are ready for a new era of offensive prowess, having replaced quarterback Kirk Cousins with free agent Sam Darnold and first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy this offseason. Despite missing games due to injury last season, Jefferson’s exceptional performance solidifies his role as a cornerstone of the Vikings’ future.

Jefferson was the fifth receiver selected in the 2020 draft. It quickly proved his versatility and talent, making him an invaluable asset to the Vikings and setting the stage for continued success in the years to come.

Article by Nathaniel Marshall