The Minnesota Vikings and Justin Jefferson agreed to a historic four-year, $140M contract extension on Monday, per multiple reports, making the star wide receiver the highest-paid non-quarterback on a yearly basis.
Justin Jefferson is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL on a per-year basis:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 3, 2024
Justin Jefferson: $35 million
Nick Bosa: $34M https://t.co/dpJ8qEbY4p
While the three-time Pro Bowler didn't quite reach the $40M per year salary that some thought he might, Jefferson still won last year's bet on himself when he turned down a lucrative offer from Minnesota.
Despite both sides entering June without a new deal, the Vikings were adamant that they wouldn't be trading Jefferson this offseason.
The day before last season kicked off, Justin Jefferson turned down a deal that would have paid him over $28 million per season, per sources. Jefferson bet on himself and the bet paid off. His four-year extension now averages $35 million per season. https://t.co/dpJ8qEbY4p
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 3, 2024
There were multiple teams this off-season that inquired about trading for Justin Jefferson, per league sources. The Vikings let each one of them know, in no uncertain terms, that they had zero intention of trading Jefferson and the conversations ended right then and there. https://t.co/dpJ8qEbY4p
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 3, 2024
The 24-year-old is the latest in a large group of superstar wideouts to cash in this offseason with massive pay days.
The off-season of the wide-receiver extensions continue. So far this off-seasons, multiple WRs have landed lucrative deals. The list includes:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 3, 2024
Justin Jefferson
Jaylen Waddle
Nico Collins
Amon-Ra St. Brown
A.J. Brown
DeVonta Smith
Jerry Jeudy
Michael Pittman
Still… https://t.co/dpJ8qEbqeR
Among those still waiting for new contracts are Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers, CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys and Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jefferson has had a monstrous start to his career since being selected with the 22nd overall pick during the 2020 NFL Draft.
The LSU product's 98.3 receiving yards per game average is the highest in NFL history, and his 6.5 catches per contest are the second highest of any receiver in his first four seasons.
In addition to his three Pro Bowl honors, Jefferson won the 2022 AP Offensive Player of the Year and was a first team All-Pro that season as well.
He's recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards and five touchdowns in each season of his career, and his 5,899 career receiving yards are second-most since 2020, while his 392 catches are sixth.
Jefferson posted 68 receptions for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns last season despite missing seven games due to a hamstring injury.
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