Justin Jefferson focused on 'leading' Vikings, not contract status

Proven wide receivers Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs all inked massive deals this offseason that will inevitably help reset the market for the position, and San Francisco 49ers offensive MVP Deebo Samuel may be using social media to tell his current employer he'd like to earn approximately $25 million per year via an extension. 

Barring an unfortunate setback, Minnesota Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson knows he's in for a big payday himself down the road. The 2020 first-round draft pick already has a pair of Pro Bowl nods on his résumé and finished the 2021 season second in the league with 1,616 receiving yards, fourth with 108 catches and tied for sixth with 10 touchdown grabs. 

Per Dane Mizutani of the Pioneer Press, Jefferson spoke with reporters this week about letting his play dictate his pay.

"That comes with the process," Jefferson explained about his second NFL contract. "I’m really just focused on what I can do right now leading the team, being a captain of the team, and going out there and performing the best I can. That’s all I can do at this point."

Jefferson now knows he'll be playing alongside quarterback Kirk Cousins for at least the next couple of years and, thus, should be quite comfortable working under new head coach Kevin O'Connell. 

"I don’t really want to say my personal goals right now," Jefferson added about next season. "There’s a target on my back at this point. I’m planning on keeping on going up. There’s always going to be players in the league that are going to try and stop me and what we’ve got going on."

Needless to say, Jefferson will also likely be keeping track of Samuel's situation through the spring and summer months as the 22-year-old looks to set his future value on the market.