The Minnesota Vikings are hoping for another big year out of Justin Jefferson. The fourth-year wide receiver has been ever since the team took him 22nd overall in the 2020 NFL draft. As with many of the rookies from the 2020 class, a contract decision has to be made in the near future about the fifth-year option. In a surprise to no one, the Minnesota Vikings have exercised the fifth-year option on Justin Jefferson.
The #Vikings have officially exercised the fifth-year option for star WR Justin Jefferson, source said, perhaps the biggest no-brainer on earth (only slight hyperbole).
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2023
Minnesota Vikings Exercise Fifth-Year Option On Justin Jefferson
This is likely a prelude to a massive contract extension. Jefferson has eclipsed 1,000 yards in every season and 1,500 yards in the last two. His 1,800-yard season last year was his best yet and there were games where he was off. A 2,000-yard receiving year does not seem out of the question. Jefferson will likely reset the wide receiver market when he is extended and rightfully so. The Vikings are going to want to keep him in the building as he moves into his prime.
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Can They Build A Roster Around Him?
Kirk Cousins is fine and clearly, Jefferson does not have any problems putting up big numbers with him under center. However, Cousins is getting older and the Vikings will need to find a new quarterback soon. The team also needs to make sure there are other pass-catching weapons that can take attention off of Jefferson. The defense also cannot be forgotten as Jefferson can only play one side of the ball. It is one thing to have a generational receiver. It is another to build a winning program that maximizes his value.
Now that Aaron Rodgers is out of the division, the NFC North is there for the taking. If the Vikings can retool their roster in the next couple of years, they have one of the best receivers in the league, Justin Jefferson. His fifth-year option has been picked up and now we wait on a massive extension.
