Offseason programs do not shift to the mandatory attendance portion until near their conclusion, with minicamps residing on teams’ calendars in June. But this week will bring a minor chapter in a few contract sagas. Justin Jefferson‘s status with the Vikings is among them.
Jefferson did not report to the first day of the Vikings’ offseason program Monday. It should be noted Jefferson did not show for Vikings voluntary work last year but reported for minicamp. The sides engaged in extension talks leading up to the season, falling just short, and remain without a resolution. The Vikings have Jefferson tied to a $19.74MM fifth-year option, which is fully guaranteed.
[RELATED: Vikings To Not Intend To Trade Justin Jefferson]
“I’ve had a lot of great dialogue with Justin throughout even the early part of this offseason and leading up,” Kevin O’Connell said, via KTSP in Minnesota. “My hope is we can get him around the team. Obviously such a special player, but it goes beyond that this time of year because of just the energy and flat-out way he goes to work.”
Although Jefferson suffered a hamstring injury that kept him off the field for much of last season, the three-time All-Pro remains on track to secure a market-resetting extension. CeeDee Lamb and Amon-Ra St. Brown also being on the extension radar provides a bit of a complication, as Jefferson has accomplished more than his NFC peers. It is understandable the 2020 first-round pick will want to be the NFL’s highest-paid receiver. Tyreek Hill, thanks to a contract that features a lofty nonguaranteed 2026 season to up the AAV, remains in that spot (at $30MM per year). Jefferson, 24, has confirmed he wants to land his big-money deal with the Vikings.
Not showing up at the Vikes’ Eagan, Minn., facility until minicamp this offseason will be a bit different than his 2023 absence. The Vikings have a new quarterback, after six Kirk Cousins seasons, and Sam Darnold will likely be joined by a first-round pick when the team convenes for post-draft workouts. Jefferson working with the Vikes’ post-Cousins QBs would stand to benefit all parties. But this is part of negotiating playbooks; with no resolution in sight, Jefferson may well opt to stay away for a while. No fines can come his way until minicamp.
The Vikings have a history of authorizing wide receiver extensions and then trading the player, as they did with Randy Moss (extended in 2001, traded in 2005) and Stefon Diggs (extended in 2018, dealt in 2020). They also moved Percy Harvin, who signed his second contract with the Seahawks. Jefferson’s early years place him on a plane with Moss and few others throughout NFL history. The Vikings have, however, paid T.J. Hockenson at a top-market rate. Once Cousins’ dead money ($28.5MM) comes off their books in 2025, the Vikes — with Darnold on a one-year deal and the to-be-determined rookie (in all likelihood) tied to a cost-controlled deal for at least three years — also have a clearer runway for a Jefferson deal.
The prospect of how much more it will take compared to Miami’s Hill contract will be a component in Minnesota’s Jefferson talks. The second year of Jefferson extension eligibility has not reached a key juncture, but that point will arrive before the season starts.
If my employer asked me to work voluntarily on my days off, i would decline also.
All the while telling you for over a year, ‘A big raise is coming, just not yet.’.
“You won’t see me tomorrow. Tomorrow is Mother’s Day and wiseguys don’t work on Mothers Day”. Al Pacino/Donnie Brasco.
Yeah pretty rare for star players to be around the team this time of year.
May never happen but KC proved you can do it without the star WR.
Idk what return Minnesota would get for dealing Justin Jefferson but if youre maybe Cardinals at 4 even NE at 3. Would they make a move for Jefferson?
Minnesota would be looking at their franchise QB at 3 or 4. Could draft a new #1 on a rookie deal at 11. And still have 23 to play with if they want to trade out or draft a tackle or pass rusher. Or trade back out recoup a 2nd and other picks.
Is it really worth paying Jefferson 30-35 mill a year? Idk. Amazing player but lot of money to commit yearly which would affect other areas on the roster.
This does make sense. I don’t see Arizona or any team trading a low first round without him signing or agreeing to a long term contract first. A low pick a lot to give up for only 1 guaranteed year.
Course he’d need to sign an extension much like hill did with Miami.
NE needs a QB, and AZ doesn’t. AZ is in a good place to take Harrison Jr, so why would they want Jefferson at $30M pr yr? NE wouldn’t want him either.
So you’re hoping to take someone who might be as good as Justin Jefferson instead of taking Justin Jefferson?
I’d agree with Harrison Jr if there was a huge age gap with Jefferson approaching or hitting 30. But Jefferson’s 24ish.
The $30M cap hit for Jefferson vs $5M for Jr. (or whatever it is) is a big sell too.
Sure. But if you already have a franchise qb which cards do I’d think they’d want Jefferson compared to Nabers and Harrison Jr.
Not the first time teams opted to go with the proven WR instead of drafting
Eagles went with Brown
Bills went with Diggs
KC also has Mahomes whereas Minnesota has Sam Darnold.
Baltimore hasn’t had a star WR last what 5 years? Last major receiver they had was Hollywood Brown who showed up year in year out. Hopefully Flowers breaks that trend.
Packers haven’t had a star WR in a couple years and transitioned QBs recently
You do need a franchise QB but it’s definitely possible to be successful without committing 30-35 mill to one skill position.
I think your original point is good, i just meant that KC may not be the best comparison for another team that let a star receiver go
I would trade JJ in a heartbeat. Ridiculous to spend 30 PLUS million on a WR when you need at least 2 OL/ 2 DT/ 1 CB/1 RB / a Edge and a better backup Tackle for the unavoidable injuries…….They are NOT a QB away from making a run in the playoffs….they need LOTS of other positions filled………trading away picks to move up for the 4/5th best QB makes no sense.
PLus I dont think he wants to be here anyhow.
I just think there would be too much of a public backlash if the Vikings traded away both Cousins and Jefferson in the same season. Might as well hang a banner at the stadium entrance that reads “Come watch us tank” if you go down that road.