I guess it’s time to discuss Justin Jefferson‘s contract situation again because major NFL media has decided that JJ’s decision not to show up to the Minnesota Vikings’ voluntary OTAs is news.
At this point, Vikings fans have been through this drill what seems like a thousand times. We spent last offseason enduring the same speculation and a deal didn’t get done. When Kirk Cousins was scheduled to hit free agency, talking heads constantly brought up the risk of Jefferson not wanting to play with a different QB. Unfortunately, this cycle is going to repeat itself until Jefferson puts pen to paper and Minnesota signs him to a contract extension.
I’m not worried about Minnesota’s ability to re-sign Jefferson. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has repeatedly indicated that the team plans to extend him. Obviously, he can’t speak in absolutes. However, he’s been as strong as he can be without fully committing to something that hasn’t happened yet.
Unfortunately for Jefferson, if the Vikings want to keep him, his only real option is to threaten not to play. The WR franchise tag is projected to be $24.8 million in 2025, and tagging Jefferson twice would mean he gets paid $29.7 million in 2026. That’s a steal for the best receiver in the NFL. Minnesota could even tag him a third time for $42.8 million in 2027. Averaging those three years comes out to about $32.5 million per season, which would be a slight increase on the three-year, $96 million extension that A.J. Brown signed with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason.