Vikings' Justin Jefferson speaks on contract status

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson just completed his fourth NFL season, meaning he will be entering the final year of his rookie deal heading into 2024.

The thing is, Jefferson does not have a new contract just yet, but he is not letting that bother him going into the offseason.

“For me, I’ll just continue to play my ball and do everything that I can for us to get the win,” Jefferson said, via Kevin Seifert of ESPN. “I feel like with my play and all of that, everything is going to happen the way it needs to happen. I will just continue to be myself and go out on that field and give it my all.”

Jefferson added that contract negotiations are “a conversation for the front office to really speak about.”

The 24-year-old’s 2023 season was nearly cut in half, as he missed seven games due to a hamstring injury. However, when he was on the field, he remained dominant, catching 68 passes for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns.

Jefferson, who played his collegiate football at LSU, was selected by the Vikings with the 22nd overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.

He enjoyed a spectacular rookie campaign, registering 88 catches for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns. The following year, Jefferson was even better, snaring 108 balls for 1,616 yards and 10 scores. He then had the best season of his career to date in 2022, leading the league in receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809) to go along with eight touchdowns.

Jefferson made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons and also earned a First-Team All-Pro selection last year.

The St. Rose, La., native is widely expected to become the highest-paid wideout in NFL history once he finally lands his new deal.

Minnesota went 7-10 this season in a year that was largely defined by injuries. Not only was Justin Jefferson sidelined for almost half the campaign, but quarterback Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles midway through the year.