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The Minnesota Vikings and star wide receiver Justin Jefferson agreed to terms on a record-setting contract extension on Monday that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported the extension is for $140 million over four years and includes $110 million guaranteed.
JJETS✈️ @JJettas2Something that once was a dream is now my reality. There are so many people that I can sit here and thank but you all know who you are that helped me along the way. But we ain't stopping here…. There's more to be done… SKOL!!!!!!! <a href="https://t.co/q2Q6YUPAWH">pic.twitter.com/q2Q6YUPAWH</a>
The time has finally come—the deal I have been waiting for since I was a little kid.
... First off, I want to thank the man above. Without God, this wouldn't be possible at all. To be given a gift to play football at the highest level, it's a blessing, it's an honor.
To my mom and dad, thank you. This is a journey for all of us, and y'all are still with us every step of the way. To my brothers, Rickey and Jordan, y'all are everything. Y'all made me who I am today.This is a new step in our journey, a new step in life. I always dreamt of this moment and to now share it with all of y'all — a dream that we all had, it's a blessing.
In addition to the above statement from the video, Jefferson released an additional statement to Vikings.com:
I would not be in this position if not for my family and their support. I'm so thankful for them instilling a foundational gratitude and competitive fire within me. I'd like to thank the Wilf family, Kevin O'Connell, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the entire Vikings organization for believing in me and trusting me to help lead this team. To all my teammates and coaches from the very beginning as a kid in Louisiana, all the way to the NFL, thank you for always being there for me and pushing me. Lastly, to Vikings fans everywhere, you'll continue to get my very best each and every day. SKOL!
ESPN's Adam Schefter added Jefferson turned down an extension offer from the Vikings last offseason that would have paid him $28 million annually.
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterThe day before last season kicked off, Justin Jefferson turned down a deal that would have paid him over $28 million per season, per sources. Jefferson bet on himself and the bet paid off. His four-year extension now averages $35 million per season. <a href="https://t.co/dpJ8qEbY4p">https://t.co/dpJ8qEbY4p</a>
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell praised Jefferson after the announcement:
Justin is an exceptionally talented player and an incredible person that I am honored to coach and have as a team captain. His positive energy and love for the game shows up every single day as he works to be the best at his craft. As coaches, we will do our part in helping him maximize his ability. I'm grateful to the Wilfs, [general manager] Kwesi [Adofo-Mensah], Rob Brzezinski and our staff for ensuring one of the brightest stars in professional sports will continue his career as a Minnesota Viking.
The Vikings exercised the $19.7 million fifth-year option on Jefferson's contract in April 2023. Doing so allowed both sides more time to hammer out a long-term extension.
It's no surprise the 24-year-old signed an extension with the franchise. He said after the team's 2022 postseason loss to the New York Giants that if the Vikings wanted to retain him, he'd be all for it.
"I will be wherever I'm wanted. If they want me here, I'm here. That's not something that I can really control," he told reporters.
During the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was also vocal about his plans to sign Jefferson to a long-term extension, calling it a "priority" for the franchise.
"I don't want to be the Vikings' GM without that guy on our team," Adofo-Mensah said at the time, per ESPN's Kevin Seifert. "So it's a high priority. We've got to make sure we do in the order that we can do it in, obviously, given all of our other decisions we have to make."
Additionally, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported in May 2023 that the Vikings were going to prioritize an extension, adding that he could become the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback.
After signing tight end T.J. Hockenson to a four-year, $66 million deal in August 2023, Adofo-Mensah reiterated that a Jefferson extension remained a priority.
"We've said it and will continue to say it. Justin (Jefferson) is somebody we want around here for a really long time. We're going to do everything we can to do that," he told reporters. "Whenever that happens, it will be a great day for the Vikings and a great day for Justin."
Jefferson even said himself on Mad Dog Sports Radio's Schein on Sports in February that he expected the Vikings to "do what they need to do to have me in the building" for years to come.
Mad Dog Sports Radio @MadDogRadio"I feel like eventually, the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vikings?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vikings</a> will do what they need to do to have me in the building, but I don't really know at this very moment, only time will tell."<a href="https://twitter.com/JJettas2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JJettas2</a> updates <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchein?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AdamSchein</a> on his contractual situation.<br><br>🎧 <a href="https://t.co/jP0HFpFutU">https://t.co/jP0HFpFutU</a><br>📷 <a href="https://t.co/YSXEJxNd65">https://t.co/YSXEJxNd65</a> <a href="https://t.co/MaQ0lmOOMZ">pic.twitter.com/MaQ0lmOOMZ</a>
The Vikings selected Jefferson in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft out of LSU, and he posted three consecutive seasons of 1,400-plus receiving yards to begin his career.
In 2022, he caught 128 passes for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games, breaking the franchise record for yards in a single season previously held by Randy Moss.
Jefferson missed seven games during the 2023 season due to a hamstring injury, but he still managed to catch 68 passes for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games.
With Jefferson now locked up through 2028, the Vikings will continue to boast one of the most impressive aerial attacks in the NFL for years to come.
