Carmen Vitali
NFC North Reporter
Justin Jefferson stepped out of a white Mercedes Maybach within the bowels of a nondescript stadium. His Louis Vuitton sneakers hit the bottom first. His pearl-laden brown sweats swished as he walked by the tunnel and into the sector. The huge receiver was out and about, posting on social media and not using a care on this planet.
This would not actually have been a giant deal, save for the truth that Jefferson’s personal staff has concurrently began voluntary offseason exercises, with out Jefferson in attendance.
What makes this an excellent greater story is that Jefferson is due a brand new contract by the Minnesota Vikings. The previous Offensive Participant of the Yr is simply 24 years previous and has been a discount for Minnesota on his rookie deal. Jefferson’s cap hit was simply over $4 million final season. Even in his fifth 12 months on the exercised possibility, Jefferson is scheduled to make $19.7 million in 2024. Whereas that is nothing to snuff at, it places him because the twelfth highest-paid receiver relating to cap hit. At that wage, he is behind gamers like Jacksonville’s Christian Kirk and Washington’s Terry McLaurin — neither of whom have OPOY or All-Professional honors below their belts.
Jefferson solely performed in 10 video games final season and but he nonetheless had over 1,000 receiving yards. His profession common per recreation is 98.3 yards. He has a 68.1 p.c catch fee. In his final full season, which was his finest, he led the league in each receptions and receiving yards.
There isn’t any doubt what he means to the Minnesota Vikings.
So, what’s taking so lengthy?
Jefferson turned eligible for an extension over a calendar 12 months in the past. The huge receiver bubble does not appear to be it is bursting any time quickly, both. Had the Vikings prolonged Jefferson final offseason, they may have probably gotten him below contract for below $30 million. Miami’s Tyreek Hill turned the primary receiver to be paid $30 million yearly proper at that time, in response to common contract worth. Since then, two extra receivers have joined that membership in Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown and Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown. The previous has a median wage of $32 million because the highest-paid receiver in soccer.
It will take a minimum of that a lot to lock down Jefferson now.
And the Vikings know that.
“We predict he is the perfect receiver within the league, and he ought to be compensated as such,” mentioned basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in February.
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A deal is imminent, even when it hasn’t been labored out but. It might be the last word fumble by Minnesota to let a homegrown expertise like Jefferson stroll provided that his finest soccer is probably going nonetheless forward of him — and for a very long time, too.
When you find yourself speaking about resetting the market although, these items are likely to take a bit longer.
Jefferson not being at OTA’s should not come as a shock, each due to the contract talks and likewise as a result of he wasn’t there final 12 months, both. At this stage, OTA’s are voluntary. There are sometimes bonuses hooked up to participation however with a brand new deal looming, these bonuses for Jefferson are probably minimal in the event that they exist in any respect.
The one draw back of Jefferson’s absence is that Minnesota is now making an attempt to carry alongside a brand new quarterback who they hope is their future. The Vikings took former Michigan sign caller J.J. McCarthy with the tenth general choose within the 2024 NFL Draft. Whereas he is regarded as considerably of a mission given his lack of passing stats at Michigan, he is additionally thought to have super upside, particularly provided that Minnesota’s roster is stacked with expertise.
The faster McCarthy can mesh with that expertise, the better his transition shall be. Not having among the best receivers in soccer accessible to assist him to start with is barely making the method slower.
Nonetheless, Jefferson is nervous about himself and his contract initially. Nobody can blame him for that. All reviews are that Jefferson continues to be understanding on his personal like he does each offseason.
However you already know what may entice him to try this coaching in Minnesota with their new quarterback on the Vikings’ facility, as a substitute?
Money. And a whole lot of it.
The value is barely going up. Minnesota could be clever to lock Jefferson up as quickly as attainable.
Carmen Vitali covers the NFC North for FOX Sports activities. Carmen had earlier stops with The Draft Community and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She spent six seasons with the Bucs, together with 2020, which added the title of Tremendous Bowl Champion (and boat-parade participant) to her résumé. You’ll be able to comply with Carmen on Twitter at @CarmieV.
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