Despite there being chatter for the past year, the Justin Jefferson contract saga contained little suspense. Yes, he skipped voluntary workouts and was loosely mentioned in trade rumors, but the star wide receiver always seemed destined to remain with the Minnesota Vikings in the long term.
Anticipation was nevertheless high, as NFL fans speculated on the record-breaking amount of money he would earn for his position. It is safe to say most people did a double take upon learning of the mind-blowing dollar figures the Vikings will be paying Jefferson.
The 2022 Offensive Player of the Year signed a four-year deal for $140 million on Monday, with $110 million being guaranteed. He receives a whopping $88.743 million at time of signing and surpasses premium pass rusher Nick Bosa as the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history. Blimey! That's a lot of green.
Jefferson resets the WR market and ensures that CeeDee Lamb, Ja'Marr Chase, Brandon Aiyuk and Tee Higgins all ink larger contract extensions than they would have just a few days ago. Minnesota is investing a massive chunk of its resources in a receiver, a decision that is already causing spirited debates online.
The potential negative affects of this seismic move are obvious, particularly in an NFC North division that features either established or scintillating quarterbacks from top to bottom. But elite talent demands large sacrifices.
In the aftermath of this landmark moment, we are going to hand the Vikings a grade for the Justin Jefferson contract and try to determine whether or not this was the optimal course of action they could have taken.
Justin Jefferson the player
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While many people will argue this deal is an overpay, there is no player currently more justified in commanding it than Jefferson. He is already breathing rarefied air, recording 392 receptions for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns through the first four years of his NFL career. His 98.3 yards per game is the most ever, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Did we mention that Jefferson is not even 25 years old? A potent blend of athleticism and youth is rightly expensive to retain. Kirk Cousins' Pro Bowl-level contributions must be properly acknowledged, but the Vikings obviously view their former first-round draft pick as the offense's focal point.
Although Jefferson missed seven games last season with a hamstring injury, he still managed to secure 68 catches and eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in an unfavorable situation. He posted two monster performances against the division-winning Detroit Lions with Nick Mullens as his quarterback (333 combined yards and two touchdowns).
Jefferson should be able to produce regardless of who is throwing him the ball. He has set the bar sky-high for himself at a height Minnesota evidentially believes he can at least match, and possibly surpass. Aside from paying him for his past and future accolades, this contract aims to incentivize Justin Jefferson to actively aid in rookie J.J. McCarthy's NFL transition.
Typically, the quarterback is charged with maximizing the potential of his pass-catchers. In this case, though, the WR is being asked to squeeze out all the productivity McCarthy has to offer. It is a risky and unorthodox philosophy to implement, especially considering the gobs of money involved.
Jefferson's deal will be evaluated based on not only his own statistics, but also by the performance of the man who his being pegged as the Vikings' future franchise QB.
Vikings' current situation amid Jefferson extension
We will probably not be able to make a definitive ruling on McCarthy for some time, hence I prefer to judge Jefferson's colossal contract in terms of Minnesota's roster structure and financial flexibility.
Minnesota is going to incur costly cap hits. There is no avoiding the limitations and headaches those will bring to the front office. But the downside of the team's historic obligation to Jefferson can certainly be mitigated. There is no better time for the Vikings to dole out $35 million annually to a skills position player than right now.
McCarthy's rookie, team-friendly deal enables general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to still address some of the roster's other needs. He already did a decent job on that front in free agency, reshaping the squad's linebacker room with the additions of Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman, to name a few. Developing the former Michigan QB and building a competitive group around him and Jefferson in this window is of paramount importance.
I have my doubts about J.J. McCarthy's passing prowess, but my trust in Justin Jefferson and head coach Kevin O'Connell may actually be outweighing them. An All-Pro wide receiver alone does not equate with franchise success, as is proven by Minnesota's three losing seasons in the last four years. But he does make it more attainable.
Inking No. 18 to an unprecedented extension will be understandably scrutinized. Though, the modern game requires a team to have a certified gamebreaker. It is up to the Vikings to figure out the rest, and quick.
Final contract grade for Vikings' Justin Jefferson
Regardless of Jefferson's status, this is an excessive deal. Minnesota should have come in lower on the guaranteed amount and allowed their pillar to break the WR record without shattering it. That being said, the team had to lock up whom I and many fans consider to be the No. 1 receiver in football.
Justin Jefferson and the Vikings will now enter training camp free of tension and drama. Their vision has been formulated. Now, it is just a matter of fulfilling it.
Grade: A-
