Kevin O'Connell believes Justin Jefferson extension 'provides clarity for everyone'

The Minnesota Vikings locker room exploded into cheers on Wednesday after wide receiver Justin Jefferson signed an extension to become the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback. He inked a new deal for four years and $140 million with $110 million guaranteed and by agreeing to the contract, he returned to team activities in time for minicamp. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell discussed Jefferson on Wednesday and why it was so important to get him the extension and get him back in the building this week.

“This was a really cool day to be a part of,” O’Connell said, “and one that we’ve been looking forward to for a very long time.”

“It just provides clarity for everyone,” he added. “It gives us three really good days. We can truly maximize the complete time allotted. We’ll get beneficial work in for our entire team and getting Justin in here, joining the team, it gives him some great days to gain some momentum. It’s clear looking at him today that he’s in great shape, dialed in, and now he can feel that much more smooth about how he’ll prepare and enter training camp.”

Jefferson landed his new contract extension after staying out of OTAs and team workouts this spring. Now, he can get to work with another J.J. – first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.

“Having J.J. in the building, a new energy, a new soul,” Jefferson said this week, “I mean, I love [McCarthy’s] confidence. I love his attitude, and of course him coming off a championship, you can’t have any more confidence than that.”

O’Connell says Vikings ‘never, ever’ considered trade

This offseason, rumors swirled about the Vikings potentially exploring trading partners for Jefferson. However, nothing came of the rumors and the former first-rounder is now locked in through 2028. O’Connell addressed the reports on Wednesday, telling the media that the team “never, ever” discussed shipping the No. 1 wide receiver out of Minneapolis.

“There’s a certain way that we kind of do business,” O’Connell said. “When you hear certain things – a lot of things come and go – and you kind of chalk it up to what they are. But when there’s things that are so far outside the realm of what’s actually happening and taking place, you find yourself wanting to come out and say, which I will unequivocally: We never, ever, one time, discussed it internally among the leadership.”

In 2022, the 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. Now, he’ll look to continue that success with his new contract in hand and his new quarterback tossing him the ball.