Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addresses financial approach

Jefferson’s extension carries an annual average value of $35M, the highest figure for a non-quarterback in NFL history. He is a member of the team’s young core now and for the foreseeable future, and the structure of the pact includes guaranteed money in all but its final season. The Jefferson accord is the latest component of the Vikings’ financial approach, one Adofo-Mensah recently expanded on.

“I have been in places where they have specific calculations for how much a player’s worth,” he said (via Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune). “Those are tougher in football as compared to baseball, just because of the interaction between teammates and things like that. But I do know those numbers, and obviously I have [them] in our calculations. There’s also ways to do it, relative value-wise: Would I rather have a quarterback at this level or a wide receiver at this level or a [pass] rusher at this level?”

In the era of certain positions — quarterback being chief among them — occupying an increasingly large share of salary-cap space, the question of which players to invest in on second contracts has become a central element of roster construction. 

In the case of the Vikings, of course, the QB spot is now made up of veteran Sam Darnold (who signed a one-year, $10M deal in free agency) and first-rounder J.J. McCarthy (who will be attached to his rookie deal for at least four years).

The extra funds realized by letting Kirk Cousins depart will be used in part on Jefferson’s deal, as well as the one tight end T.J. Hockenson is signed to. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw is a candidate for the Vikings’ next lucrative in-house contract, something Adofo-Mensah confirmed is a preferred means of committing cap space to the team’s new nucleus.

“The draft is the most efficient way to boost talent, but re-signing your own is typically the second best, right?” the GM said. “Because then free agency is its own deal, and you have to pay a premium to the market. And then lastly is, people have to trade. So with that kind of hierarchy, we look at these deals as still pretty favorable to the team, when you’re extending your own.”

Minnesota is currently projected to have over $54M in cap space in 2025, and the likes of McCarthy, fellow first-round rookie Dallas Turner and wideout Jordan Addison will be on cost-controlled pacts for multiple years beyond that point. 

That will create a notable window for Adofo-Mensah to make additions aimed at complementing the players attached to lucrative second contracts as the organization’s transition away from numerous veterans of the previous regime continues.