The Minnesota Vikings exercised Justin Jefferson’s fifth-year option in April of last year.
Justin Jefferson (Image via IMAGO)
The Minnesota Vikings had a disappointing season in 2023 after their quarterback suffered an injury that prematurely ended his year. Currently, the team is in the offseason and focused on addressing their roster concerns. One of their primary priorities is securing a long-term contract extension for their wide receiver.
Previously, it was widely believed that the Vikings would go to great lengths to re-sign their star wide receiver. However, recent reports suggest that the football team based in Minnesota has encountered a hurdle in the negotiations for Jefferson’s contract. The issue at hand is not the financial aspect, but rather the structure of the contract.
According to a report from ProFootballTalk, the Vikings have an internal policy that limits guaranteed money to only the first year of a new contract. Speculation from Florio, the author of the report, suggests that this policy may be hindering the progress of the contract negotiations.
The #Vikings are hesitant to offer WR Justin Jefferson full guaranteed money beyond the initial year of a new deal, as reported by @ProFootballTalk. “It’s not about the money, but rather the structure. They are unwilling to guarantee full payment beyond the first year for anyone other than… https://t.co/b9BNaHEseS pic.twitter.com/tpM0d7tX4f
The Vikings exercised Jefferson’s fifth-year option last April, ensuring his presence on the team for the 2024 season. However, it would be unwise for them to further delay the contract discussions. Jefferson is widely regarded as one of the top wide receivers in the league and is a valuable asset to the Minnesota-based team. The Vikings certainly do not want to see him in any other team’s uniform at this stage of his career. However, the delay in finalizing a contract extension has left their fans concerned about Jefferson’s future with the team.
Earlier this month, the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver spoke about his contract extension on Mad Dog Sports Radio’s Schein on Sports. The three-time Pro Bowler expressed his desire to secure a lucrative contract and be a part of an organization that truly values him.
Justin Jefferson on a potential contract extension: “I want to secure a substantial deal and be a part of an organization that appreciates my worth and provides me with what I deserve.” pic.twitter.com/uUqFO1bgnY
As previously mentioned, the Vikings are not concerned about the financial aspect. They are prepared to make Jefferson the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. However, their hesitation lies in offering guaranteed money to Jefferson.
Nevertheless, at this point in time, there is no reason to believe that the Vikings and Jefferson will not be able to find a compromise in their contract negotiations. However, in the unpredictable world of the NFL, nothing is ever guaranteed.
According to the Source firstsportz.com