Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has to be thrilled with the developments among top receivers around the league.
Leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles signed three of the premier receivers in the league to what at the time were record-setting contracts.
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s four-year contract worth $120 million made him the highest-paid wide receiver, until the Eagles paid Brown $32 million per season across a new three-year contract extension. Philadelphia even re-upped DeVonta Smith on a three-year deal worth $75 million, including $51 million guaranteed.
Jefferson is eligible for an extension, after playing under a deal that paid him just $2.4 million last season.
If Brown, St. Brown, and Smith’s deals are any indication, Jefferson is about to cash in.
How Much Might Justin Jefferson Cost the Minnesota Vikings?
One of the most prolific receivers in the sport, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Jefferson be the next receiver to reset the market at the position.
Last season, Jefferson caught 68 passes for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns, despite wildly inconsistent quarterback play in Minnesota.
Former NFL Executive of The Year Jeff Diamond believes Jefferson will wind up the highest-paid receiver in the league, and then some.
“Jefferson will likely become the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback,” Diamond writes for The 33rd Team. “Surpassing Aaron Donald’s average of $31.667 million per year and Nick Bosa’s $34 million per year in new money under his extension signed last September. Bosa’s yearly average is $31.624 million, including the last year of his rookie deal.
“Jefferson will try to far exceed Hill’s contract as the highest-paid receiver. Hill’s actual average per year is $28.187 million, including the last year before his extension kicked in.”
Given recent developments at the position, Spotrac projects Jefferson could fetch a four-year deal worth $129.97 million deal that surpasses Brown’s contract while averaging $32.5 million per season.
“The modern-day GOAT now knows who the next QB in Minnesota will be,” Michael Ginnitti writes for Spotrac. “Is a historic extension for JJ next on the Vikings’ to-do list? It’s perfectly plausible that Jefferson and his camp would rather wait for CeeDee Lamb and/or Ja’Marr Chase to lock in their own deals before finalizing his own numbers, but neither of those scenarios seem close to their respective finish lines. Adding 4 years and $140M to his current $19.7M guaranteed salary for 2024 seems like a logical floor here.”
Time will tell if the Vikings and Jefferson can strike a long-term pact, but the longer he remains unsigned it would seam the higher his value will rise.
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