The Minnesota Vikings and star extensive receiver Justin Jefferson have agreed to a four-year, $140 million contract extension that features $110 million assured, sources informed ESPN. The deal makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL historical past.
The deal, which was negotiated by WME Soccer, contains $88.743 million due at signing. The Vikings introduced Monday morning that Jefferson agreed to an extension that runs by way of the 2028 season however didn’t disclose monetary phrases.
“The time has lastly come. The deal I have been ready for since I used to be a bit child,” Jefferson stated in a video posted to Instagram. “Being doubted my complete profession. Not being extremely recruited. Not being the primary receiver off the draft board. This complete journey wasn’t simple for me. … To be given a present to play soccer on the highest degree, it is a blessing. It is an honor.”
PlayerGuaranteed MoneyJustin Jefferson$110MA.J. Brown$84MAmon-Ra St. Brown$77MJaylen Waddle$76M– ESPN Stats & Info
Vikings house owners Mark and Zygi Wilf stated in an announcement that Jefferson has “earned this contract, and we’re thrilled he’ll stay a Minnesota Viking for a really very long time.”
“From the second I arrived in Minnesota, Justin has constantly confirmed to be top-of-the-line gamers within the NFL on and off the sector and we’re enthusiastic about having him as a cornerstone of our crew for a very long time to return,” Vikings basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah stated. “He’s the dwelling embodiment of our tradition along with his joyful dedication to course of and our objectives. We could not be extra excited for Justin and his household.”
Jefferson additionally thanked his mother and father, his brothers, his agent and the Vikings’ entrance workplace workers, coaches and followers within the Instagram video.
“Y’all set the tone. Y’all set the temper. Y’all set the power,” Jefferson stated within the video. “And I am positively excited to set the power for 5 extra years. … That is the beginning of it, however we ain’t performed but. Simply wait.”
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The day earlier than the 2023 season began, Jefferson declined a contract supply from the Vikings that may have paid him over $28 million yearly. The three-time Professional Bowler as an alternative wager on himself, and the wager paid off, with Jefferson’s four-year extension averaging $35 million per season. That common annual worth is $1 million greater than the earlier non-quarterback report for San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa.
There have been a number of groups this offseason that inquired about Jefferson, in response to league sources. However the Vikings let every considered one of them know they’d zero intention of buying and selling Jefferson, who’s off to a historic four-year begin within the NFL.
Adofo-Mensah stated on the NFL scouting mix in February {that a} Jefferson commerce by no means crossed his thoughts — even when it will assist him commerce up for a quarterback within the draft.
“We predict he is the very best extensive receiver within the league and needs to be compensated as such,” Adofo-Mensah stated on the time. “We predict he is top-of-the-line non-quarterbacks within the league and suppose he needs to be compensated as such.”
Since being chosen by the Vikings with the twenty second total decide within the 2020 draft, Jefferson has 392 receptions for five,899 yards and 30 touchdowns.
The 2022 Offensive Participant of the Yr, Jefferson has averaged 98.3 receiving yards per recreation — probably the most in NFL historical past for any profession span — and his common of 6.5 catches per recreation is the second highest of any receiver in his first 4 seasons.
“Justin is an exceptionally gifted participant and an unimaginable person who I’m honored to educate and have as a crew captain,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell stated in an announcement. “His optimistic power and love for the sport reveals up each single day as he works to be the very best at his craft. As coaches, we are going to do our half in serving to him maximize his capacity. I am grateful to the Wilfs, Kwesi, [Vikings executive VP of football operations] Rob Brzezinski, and our workers for guaranteeing one of many brightest stars in skilled sports activities will proceed his profession as a Minnesota Viking.”
Jefferson, who turns 25 later this month, will now lead the Vikings into their subsequent technology of offense after they changed quarterback Kirk Cousins with free agent Sam Darnold and first-round draft decide J.J. McCarthy this offseason.
Jefferson repeatedly endorsed Cousins’ return over the previous 12 months however by no means stated it will be a think about whether or not he would re-sign with the Vikings. He has not commented publicly on Cousins’ departure or on the choice to accumulate Darnold and McCarthy. However McCarthy stated Jefferson — recognized by many across the crew as “JJ,” texted him shortly after the draft.
Jefferson set an NFL report for many receiving yards within the first three seasons of a profession (4,825) after which eclipsed 1,000 yards in 2023 regardless of lacking seven video games (and components of two others) due to accidents. His 1,074 yards in 2023 had been probably the most ever by an NFL participant who had performed 10 or fewer video games in a season.
Jefferson was the fifth receiver chosen within the 2020 draft and a well-timed alternative for Stefon Diggs, who was traded to the Buffalo Payments a month earlier. Some groups reportedly believed Jefferson can be restricted to a slot position, however the Vikings considered him as an all-position receiver once they took him at No. 22 total.
In an in-house video that shortly went viral, then-GM Rick Spielman was seen laughing when the Philadelphia Eagles took receiver Jalen Reagor at No. 21, clearing the trail for the Vikings to pick out Jefferson.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.