Justin Jefferson appears to be on the verge of becoming the richest wide receiver in NFL history as there are now multiple reports saying talks are progressing. The latest comes from Diana Russini of The Athletic, who reported Tuesday that there is optimism for a “huge deal.”
“Both sides have traded proposals on the deal. I’m told by a league source conversations are going well but it’s not done yet,” writes Russini. “This is all happening while the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year has never missed a practice during training camp, all optimistic a huge deal gets done.”
Russini’s report comes less than 24 hours after Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer said the Vikings are “making an effort” to get Jefferson signed to an extension “before the season starts.”
That could mean a Jefferson contract extension could come within two weeks. The Vikings open the 2023-24 regular season on Sunday, Sept. 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
How big will the extension be? The 15 highest-paid players in the NFL are quarterbacks, followed by Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Here are the 20 highest-paid players based on average annual value, according to OverTheCap.
- Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers: $52.5m
- Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens: $52m
- Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles: $51m
- Russell Wilson, QB, Broncos: $49m
- Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals: $46.1m
- Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns: $46m
- Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs: $45m
- Josh Allen, QB, Bills: $43m
- Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys: $40m
- Matt Stafford, QB, Rams: $40m
- Daniel Jones, QB, Giants: $40m
- Aaron Rodgers, QB, Jets: $37.5m
- Derek Carr, QB, Saints: $37.5m
- Kirk Cousins, QB, Vikings: $35m
- Jared Goff, QB, Lions: $33.5m
- Aaron Donald, DT, Rams: $31.6m
- Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins: $30m
- Ryan Tannehill, QB, Titans: $29.5m
- T.J. Watt, EDGE, Steelers: $28m
- Davante Adams, WR, Raiders: $28m
If Jefferson becomes the highest paid non-quarterback he could very well be earning nearly as much — or maybe as much or more — as his quarterback in Minnesota. That shouldn’t bee too shocking considering Jefferson, not Cousins, was a finalist for the MVP award last season.
Jefferson, 24, won the offensive player of the year award after hauling in 128 passes for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns. Through three seasons in the NFL he has 324 receptions for 4,825 yards and 25 touchdowns.
