Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings agreed to a four-year contract extension on Monday that will reportedly make him one of the richest players in the NFL.
The deal will keep the star wide receiver with the Vikings through the 2028 season, the team announced. The contract is worth $140 million, with $110 million guaranteed. ESPN reported.This made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history.
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Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson, No. 18, is congratulated by KJ Osborne, No. 17, after making a touchdown reception during the second quarter of a game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec. 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
“I wouldn’t be in this position without my family and their support, and I’m so grateful to them for instilling in me a deep-seated sense of gratitude and competitive spirit,” Jefferson said in a statement through the team. “Thank you to the Wilf family, Kevin O’Connell, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the entire Vikings organization for believing in me and trusting me to lead our team. To all my teammates and coaches, from my childhood in Louisiana to the NFL, thank you for always supporting and pushing me. And finally, to all Vikings fans around the world, I will continue to bring my best every day. SKOL!”
Since joining the Vikings, Jefferson has developed into one of the NFL’s best playmaking wide receivers.
He played in 60 games and had 392 catches for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns. He led the league in receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809) and was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. That year, he had eight touchdown catches.
Jefferson’s 2023 season was plagued by injuries, but he still managed to rack up 1,074 yards receiving on 68 catches and five touchdowns in 10 games.
Justin Jefferson, wearing number 18 of the Minnesota Vikings, celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 7, 2024 in Detroit. (Nick Antaya/Getty Images)
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“Justin has established himself as one of the best wide receivers and most exciting players in the NFL over the first four seasons of his career,” Vikings co-owners Mark and Zigi Wilf said in a joint statement. “He is a special talent, a dedicated teammate and a great representative for the Vikings. Justin is a very deserving player of this contract and we are thrilled that he will remain with the Minnesota Vikings for the foreseeable future.”
General Manager, Kwesi Adofo Mensah expressed gratitude to Jefferson and his agents for helping secure the deal.
“From the moment I arrived in Minnesota, Justin has consistently proven himself to be one of the NFL’s best players on and off the field, and we are excited to have him as a cornerstone of our team for a long time to come,” Adofo-Mensah added. “His joyful dedication to the process and goals embodies our culture, and I couldn’t be more pleased for Justin and his family.”
Jefferson will face a slightly different situation in 2024. With Kirk Cousins moving to the Atlanta Falcons in the offseason, he’ll have new players to throw the ball to.
Minnesota Vikings guard Justin Jefferson, wearing No. 18, greets teammates before a game against the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium on Nov. 12, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
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Minnesota had the highest pick in the draft, selecting Michigan’s JJ McCarthy. The team also signed Sam Darnold.
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