Justin Jefferson has powerful reaction to signing record-breaking contract with Minnesota Vikings
Following the signing of a new four-year, $140 million contract extension, Minnesota Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson shared a powerful message with fans on social media. The former first-round pick posted a video on X, thanking fans, family, and members of the Vikings organization.
“The time has finally come,” Jefferson said. “The deal I’ve been waiting for since I was a little kid. Being doubted my whole career, not being highly recruited, not being the first receiver off the draft board, this whole journey wasn’t easy for me.
“First off, I want to thank the man above. Without God, this wouldn’t be possible at all. To be given to play football at the highest level, it’s a blessing, it’s an honor. My mom and dad, thank you. This is a journey for all of us and y’all stood with us every step of the way. To my brothers, Rickey and Jordan, y’all are everything. You made me who I am today. This is a new step in our journey, new step in life. I’ve always dreamt of this moment, and to now share it with all of y’all, it’s a blessing… This is the start of it, but we ain’t done yet. Just wait.”
Jefferson also thanked his agent and the members of the Vikings for getting the deal done, as well as the fans for “setting the energy.”
“Something that once was a dream is now my reality,” Jefferson wrote as a caption to the video. “There are so many people that I can sit here and thank but you all know who you are that helped me along the way. But we ain’t stopping here… There’s more to be done… SKOL!!!!!!”
Jefferson makes history with $140 million deal
With his new contract, Jefferson will be with the Vikings through the 2028 season. His contract now runs the same length as new first-round quarterback JJ McCarthy, as long as Minnesota picks up the rookie’s fifth-year option in a few seasons.
Jefferson is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history. The new deal includes $110 million guaranteed, which is a new high for an NFL wide receiver. Jefferson landed his new contract extension after staying out of OTAs and team workouts this spring.
The Minnesota Vikings drafted Jefferson with the No. 22 overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. They snagged him five spots after the Cowboys drafted wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Lamb is currently staging a holdout for a long-term deal before he plays on his fifth-year option deal.
In 2022, Jefferson, a former LSU star, had a career-high 1,809 receiving yards with eight touchdowns on 128 catches. This season, injuries to himself and quarterback Kirk Cousins impacted his stats.
Though he still topped the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth straight season, he ended the year with a career-low of 68 catches and 1,074 yards with five touchdowns. In his first four years in the league, Jefferson has earned three Pro Bowl nods and three All-Pro honors.