Justin Jefferson skips first day of Vikings OTAs amid contract negotiations

The Minnesota Vikings kicked off OTAs on Monday without star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. Jefferson, who also skipped the team’s spring workout program, is currently having contract negotiations. Until the former first-rounder has a new deal, it’s unclear when he’ll return to the TCO facility.

The OTAs (organized team activities), which are voluntary, last four weeks. Teams can conduct a total of 10 days of organized team activities across four weeks. Though they can’t compete in live contact situations, the Vikings can still have 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and even full 11-on-11 drills. 

Jefferson is set to make $19.743 million in the fifth and final year of his rookie deal. The Vikings picked up his fifth-year option last year instead of negotiating a long-term deal. Now, it appears he wants to get one done before he plays the season with contract talks looming over his head.

“I want to break the bank, and I want to be a part of an organization that wants me and to really give me what I deserve,” Jefferson said in an interview with Mad Dog Sports Radio this offseason. “I feel like eventually the Vikings will do what they need to do to have me in the building, but I don’t really know at this very moment. Only time will tell.”

Vikings start OTAs without Jefferson

Getting Jefferson back on the field is critical for the Vikings as they bring new quarterbacks up to speed. Developing chemistry with whoever the starter may be, whether it’s Sam Darnold or rookie JJ McCarthy.

In 2022, the former LSU star had a career-high 1,809 receiving yards with eight touchdowns on 128 catches. In 2023, however, injuries to himself and quarterback Kirk Cousins impacted his stats significantly. 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.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke to reporters last month about Jefferson’s absence from spring workouts. He said it “remains to be seen” what the receiver will do over the rest of the offseason and that the team wants him “here as much as we can have him.”

“I’ve had a lot of great dialogue with Justin throughout even the early part of this offseason and leading up,” O’Connell said, via KTSP. “My hope is we can get him around the team. Obviously, such a special player, but it goes beyond that this time of year because of just the energy and flat-out way he goes to work.”

Mandatory work for the Vikings begins next month. They’ll hold a mandatory minicamp from June 4 to June 6. The minicamp is before the end of OTAs, so Jefferson may show up on June 4 but then skip the final OTA days the following week if his contract still hasn’t materialized.