Justin Jefferson is reportedly not happy with how his contract talks are going and the three time All-Pro wide receiver has skipped the first days of the Minnesota Vikings OTAs, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Jefferson and the Vikings have been in talks for a new contract, which would certainly make him the highest paid receiver in the NFL. Jefferson is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is due to make $19.7 million in 2024.
Jefferson has seen the Eagles reward A.J. Brown and the Lions reward Amon-Ra St. Brown withe extensions. Brown was given a three-year extension worth $96 million, while St. Brown received a four-year, $120 million deal. Both contracts are worth north of $30 million per season. Jefferson is expected to surpass those numbers.
With the departure of Kirk Cousins, the Vikings selected Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and it’s very important to have Jefferson in attendance to build chemistry with the young quarterback. It’s no surprise the 24-year-old receiver is using that as his chance to gain leverage.
Jefferson missed seven games due to injury during the 2023 season. Despite that, he still topped 1,000 yards, hauling in 68 catches for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns. That followed a 2022 season in which he was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year after catching 128 passes for 1,809 yards and score nine total touchdowns. He’s an elite performer at his position and is likely to get paid like one.
