NFL
HOW MUCH WOULD YOU PAY MINNESOTA VIKINGS JUSTIN JEFFERSON?
Your answer to that question should be in the neighborhood of a five-year deal worth $170 Million.
Apr 9, 2024
The question is how much would you be willing to pay Justin Jefferson to keep him in a Minnesota Vikings jersey? Your answer to that question should be in the neighborhood of a five-year deal worth $170 Million.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano who reported in early March Jefferson is a near-lock to become the highest-paid wideout in league history.
“Jefferson is likely to set the top of the receiver market whenever he signs, and his deal is certain to pay him more than $30 million per year,” Graziano wrote. “The question is how much more.”
On Saturday, April 6, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report predicted that Jefferson is poised to not only sign the largest contract for a wide receiver in NFL history but also surpass the previous record by $30 million in total value. Ballentine forecasts a five-year deal worth $170 million for Jefferson over the summer.
"From a team-building perspective, the Vikings are in a good position to give Jefferson a market-altering contract. They parted ways with Kirk Cousins, which is going to open up cap space over the next few seasons.
The biggest question isn’t money. The Vikings are in a position to offer that. However, the quarterback situation is one worth monitoring. With the team moving on from Cousins, it might have to wait to get a commitment from Jefferson until he sees who will be throwing him the ball," Ballentine wrote.
Justin Jefferson Will Most Likely Score The Largest Wide Reiver Contract In NFL History
Despite already being a three-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro in just four seasons, Jefferson likely doesn't require any additional leverage to secure a significant deal from Minnesota. However, with Cousins' departure to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency and the Vikings' position in the upcoming draft, Jefferson finds himself in a favorable position to negotiate.
The Vikings hold the rights to pick Nos. 11 and 23, which the team can package with additional picks to try and move up the board into the top five and select a franchise quarterback. The New England Patriots at No. 3, Arizona Cardinals at No. 4, and Los Angeles Chargers at No. 5 are all potential trade partners the Vikings can try and strike a deal with.
The top choice(s) for Minnesota is currently unknown, but based on mock drafts from several ESPN insiders, J.J. McCarthy of Michigan and Drake Maye of North Carolina are the most likely candidates to be available in the pick Nos. 3-5 range.
As for Justin Jefferson's preference, it remains undisclosed to the public. However, it seems unlikely that the Vikings coaching staff and front office would not at least consult with Jefferson on the decision-making process before the draft night arrives on April 26.
THE UNDERRATED LINE
Rumors around the NFL broke like a California wildfire that Jefferson had turned down a significant contract extension from the Vikings before the start of last season. Clearly, Jefferson has more leverage today, than he did at the start of last season, and when you consider all the uncertainty the Vikings have at QB, I suspect, that Ballentine of Bleacher Report is correct that the total deal will be worth north of $170 Million.
Personally, I'd go ahead and make Jefferson the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL as he brings so much to the Vikings on and off the field, but hey, it's not my money!
