Justin Jefferson quickly deflected questions about his contract on Tuesday, further clouding his future in Minnesota beyond this season. The 24-year-old was reportedly in contract talks with the Vikings before talks stalled one day before the regular season.
Judd Zulgad of SKOR North gave his best attempt to get something out of Jefferson during Tuesday’s press conference, first asking Jefferson if thinks contract talks will resume during the season or wait until March, just before the 2024 NFL year begins.
“That’s up to them. I’m here to play football,” Jefferson said.
Zulgad tried again, asking Jefferson if he “would welcome” the Vikings coming to him to talk contract during the season. To clarify, Zulgad simply wanted to know if Jefferson would be interested in resuming talks, not whether or not talks could happen.
“I have no idea at this very moment. I don’t know,” Jefferson answered.
In other words, Jefferson, if he’s telling the truth, isn’t sure if he even wants to talk about his long-term future with the Vikings while the season is ongoing. And that’s despite head coach Kevin O’Connell saying he is 100% in Jefferon’s corner.
“It’s daily dialogue with Justin, as much as I possibly can. He knows that I support him 100% and he was all in today and really has been,” O’Connell said Sunday after the loss to the Bucs. “We would’ve loved to get something done with Justin but the decision was made and I do not for one second believe that Justin is not going to put his best foot forward like he did today and really was pretty darn special.”
What decision was made? The decision to shut down contract talks? And who made the decision: Jefferson’s camp or the Vikings?
These are tricky times with Kirk Cousins not under contract this season and Jefferson receiving well below market value this season and next. Jefferson’s situation clears up with a deal, but if it lingers into the offseason, the situation gets very murky.
What if the Vikings struggle this season and Jefferson doesn’t see a secure future at quarterback in Minnesota? Does he demand a trade? Will he hold out? As we’ve been saying, the Vikings are entering a very sensitive phase with their best player stuck in the middle.
