Justin Jefferson reportedly turned down a massive extension last offseason, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
In a segment on Tuesday’s NFL Live discussing what is next for Jefferson, Schefter dropped the clearest insight yet into the ongoing negotiations between Jefferson and the Vikings.
“If the money’s right, he’s going to sign,” Schefter started before Dan Orlovsky interjected.
“His money is going to be right anywhere, though. Anywhere.”
“Well it wasn’t before the season, when he turned down in excess of $30 million-a-year,” Schefter responded.
What is next for Justin Jefferson? 🤔 @danorlovsky7 | @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/pZC1CVoBL1
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 12, 2024
Jefferson has previously stated he aims to “break the bank” and get “what I deserve” with his new deal.
After four record-breaking years to begin his career, it’s widely expected Jefferson will reset the wide receiver market, if not the entire non-QB market as well. Las Vegas’ Davante Adams currently has the biggest contract ever dished out to a receiver at $140 million over five years, with $65.67 million guaranteed. That comes out to around $28 million a season.
San Francisco’s star edge rusher Nick Bosa signed a five-year, $170 million deal last September that features $122.5 million in guarantees. Bosa’s $34 million-per-year is the largest paid to a non-QB in league history.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah told media at February’s NFL Combine that a deal got “incredibly close” before discussions were shelved for the 2023 season.
“We’ve said and we’ll continue to say it, we think he’s the best wide receiver in the league and should be compensated as such,” Adofo-Mensah said at the time. “We think he’s one of the best non-quarterbacks in the league and we think he should be compensated as such. So we’ll continue to have those dialogues and those conversations.
“I’ve promised [Jefferson’s camp] and I will continue to promise them that I will not talk about our negotiations. I think this job should be done with integrity, so a lot of this stuff that I hear is completely false but I can’t get up here and tell you what’s not true and not false because that’s not how I promised to do this job. But I will tell you that we’re excited to have him and continue those conversations because he’s somebody we want around for a long time.”
