Advertisements
On Monday, the Minnesota Vikings announced they had agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension with wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
The deal will keep Jefferson with the Vikings through the 2028 season.
According to Adam Schefter, it’s a $140 million contract extension, which includes $110 million guaranteed.
“I would not be in this position if not for my family and their support. I’m so thankful for them instilling a foundational gratitude and competitive fire within me,” Jefferson said in a press release. “I’d like to thank the Wilf family, Kevin O’Connell, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, and the entire Vikings organization for believing in me and trusting me to help lead this team. To all my teammates and coaches from the very beginning as a kid in Louisiana, all the way to the NFL, thank you for always being there for me and pushing me. Lastly, to Vikings fans everywhere, you’ll continue to get my very best each and every day. SKOL!”
Last season, the 24-year-old missed seven games, but he reached 1,074 receiving yards, joining Michael Thomas (2016-19), Mike Evans (2014-17), A.J. Green (2011-14) and Randy Moss (1998-2001) as the only players in NFL history to have four straight seasons of 1,000 receiving yards to start their careers.
“Over the first four seasons of his career, Justin entrenched himself as the best wide receiver and one of the most electric players in the NFL,” Vikings owners Mark & Zygi Wilf said. “He is a special talent, a committed teammate, and an excellent representative of the Vikings. Justin has earned this contract, and we are thrilled he will remain a Minnesota Viking for a very long time.”
The three-time Pro Bowler also set the NFL record for most receiving yards (5,899) in a player’s first four seasons. In 2022, Jefferson finished the regular season leading the NFL in receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809), setting franchise records while becoming the youngest player in NFL history to lead the league in both categories in a single season.
The St. Rose, La., native was selected First-Team All-Pro in 2022 by The Associated Press and was named to the Second Team in 2020 and 2021. Jefferson, who was voted the No. 2 player in the NFL in the Top 100 Players of 2023, was also named the AP’s NFL Offensive Player of the Year for 2022, joining Vikings Legends quarterback Fran Tarkenton (1975) and running back Adrian Peterson (2012) as the only Minnesota players to win the award.
Originally selected by the Vikings in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft, Jefferson has played in 60 career games (57 starts) and has totaled 392 career receptions (10th in team history), 5,899 career receiving yards (eighth in team history) and 30 career receiving touchdowns (tied for ninth in team history). He is just one of eight players who rank in the top 10 in each of the three categories in Vikings history.