After the 2024 NFL Draft the Minnesota Vikings biggest question is still unanswered, as they still haven’t locked down Justin Jefferson to a massive contract. The Minnesota Vikings have been very adamant through the entire process about how much they value Justin Jefferson as the best wide receiver in the league, and one of the best non-quarterback players in the league for that matter. How do other Vikings players and staff feel about Justin’s contract, and just how confident is everyone in the organization on getting this deal done?
Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell’s Comments On Justin Jefferson’s Contract
Head Coach Kevin O’Connell sat down with Kay Adams on Up & Adams on Monday and had this to say about Jefferson’s contract situation.
“I know everything’s going to get worked out there. Justin knows the love and admiration that I have for him, and he knows he’s such a big part of what we do around here. That’s on the field, that’s off the field, he brings such a great energy to our building every single day. And he’s the ultra competitor as far as when he steps between the white lines. Very few people are able to do the things that he’s able to do, but it’s how he goes about his business, how he work, how he pushes his teammate to get better. Justin Jefferson is a huge part of this organization.”
The sentiment is nothing new coming out of Minnesota, where general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has also touted Jefferson’s importance while preaching patience regarding contract talks. Jefferson is due $19.7 Million in 2024 thanks to his fifth-year option exercised on his rookie deal, but he’s scheduled to become a free agent following the season if an extension doesn’t get done. Justin Jefferson is a record-setting talent who dominates opponents. Even when he missed seven games in 2023, he still put up 1,000 yards.
Everyone In The Vikings Organization Knows What Needs To Get Done
General Manager of the Minnesota Vikings Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also knows that keeping Jefferson on the roster is crucial and plans to get the deal done. However, Adofo-Mensah just wants to make sure Jefferson gets the attention he deserves, saying:
“Either way, whenever we sign him, we want Justin to have his whole week. I think Justin would deserve his whole month if we signed a contract, to celebrate it. We’re excited to work towards it. We’re going to keep going. You can’t have all these plans when you talk about all these visions and not talk about king linchpin, so we’re going to keep working toward that end goal.”
After this 2024 season, Justin Jefferson becomes a free agent, so getting a new deal done soon is vital for the future of Minnesota. With the 2024 NFL draft behind us, the Vikings put all their focus now on trying to keep the all-star wide receiver in purple and gold for as long as they can.
If This Deal Gets Done It Will Reset The Wide Receiver Market
Jefferson, who’s totaled close to 6,000 receiving yards in just four NFL seasons, will definitely reset the wide receiver market if/when he can strike a long-term deal. The Philadelphia Eagles recently made A.J Brown the highest-paid wide receiver with his $96 million extension averaging out at $32 million per year, but 24-year-old Justin Jefferson has arguably been one of the NFL’s top playmakers when he’s healthy.
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