Star receiver Justin Jefferson will be a Viking for the “foreseeable future,” according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Breer attempted to put the Jefferson speculation to rest in his mailbag column Wednesday, pointing out his sky-high price tag and Minnesota’s offense being well suited for the receiver. Not only that, but he’s a key piece to helping a rookie quarterback succeed.
“I believe Jefferson will be on the Minnesota Vikings’ roster for the foreseeable future,” Breer wrote. “Trading Jefferson would make the whole thing pretty wobbly for a young quarterback.”
Minnesota has two first-round picks and has been linked to a move in this month’s draft to select their quarterback of the future.
Jefferson, 24, is heading into the final year of his rookie contract. After a record-breaking start to his career, Jefferson is expected to sign a record-breaking contract extension. It might just be a matter of when he puts pen to paper.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported in March that Jefferson turned down a deal last offseason that would have paid him “in excess of $30 million per year.” Jefferson himself has stated he wants to “break the bank” with his next deal.
The wait for an extension has led to increasing speculation that a trade could be in the works. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has repeatedly said over the offseason that he has “no plans” of trading Jefferson.
How much will the Vikings have to pay Jefferson in his new deal?
“It’s sky-high, for sure, and more than $30 million per year,” said Breer.
The highest-paid receiver in the league is Las Vegas’ Davante Adams, who inked a five-year, $140 million ($28 million per year) in 2022. It’s been suggested that Jefferson could not only reset the receiver market but also the entire non-QB market. San Francisco’s Nick Bosa is the highest paid non-QB in the league after agreeing to a five-year, $170 million ($34 million per year) deal last offseason.
“It’s going to be a challenge to get a deal done, but one I think the Vikings dive headlong into after the draft, with the goal of making sure Jefferson is on the roster for a long time to come,” continued Breer.
The Vikings have a history of sorting out extensions after the draft. Last offseason, T.J. Hockenson didn’t put pen to paper on a new deal until two weeks before the start of the season.
