The Minnesota Vikings have made the first straightforward decision of their complex offseason. They have decided to exercise the fifth-year option of Justin Jefferson, their All-Pro receiver. The Vikings have been negotiating with Jefferson on a long-term extension since the end of the 2022 season. However, while the negotiations continue, this announcement means that Jefferson is now under contract until the 2024 season. The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association values the fifth-year option at $19.743 million.
Jefferson was the No. 22 overall pick in the 2020 draft and originally signed a four-year rookie contract worth $13.1 million. Since then, he has developed into one of the NFL’s top receivers. Last year, he led the league with 128 receptions for 1,809 yards. His career totals of 324 receptions for 4,825 yards set an NFL record for a player’s first three seasons.
The Vikings are currently going through a “competitive rebuild” of their roster, according to general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. They have said goodbye to a number of veterans, including Adam Thielen and Eric Kendricks, and quarterback Kirk Cousins is entering the final year of his contract. However, the team has made it clear that Jefferson is a key part of their plans.
Adofo-Mensah has previously stated that extending Jefferson’s contract is a “high priority” for the team. In February, he said, “I don’t want to be the Vikings’ GM without that guy on our team.”
With the fifth-year option exercised, the Vikings have secured their star receiver’s services for another three seasons. The negotiations for a long-term extension continue, and the team is hopeful that Jefferson will remain a Viking for many years to come.
Leave a Reply