Minnesota Vikings sign Justin Jefferson to historic deal for $140 million
The Minnesota Vikings have just made wide receiver Justin Jefferson the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history. According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, Jefferson is signing a four-year deal for $140 million. The 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. His deal comes after the Miami Dolphins inked Jaylen Waddle to a three-year deal for $84.75 million last week.
The star posted on social media after the contract extension went public.
“Something that once was a dream is now my reality,” Jefferson wrote. “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!!!!!!”
Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf also shared a message:
“Over the first four seasons of his career, Justin entrenched himself as the best wide receiver and one of the most electric players in the NFL. He is a special talent, a committed teammate and an excellent representative of the Vikings. Justin has earned this contract, and we are thrilled he will remain a Minnesota Viking for a very long time.”
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 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. In his first four years in the league, Jefferson has earned three Pro Bowl nods.
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.
Jefferson lands top deal among NFL wide receivers
Earlier in the offseason, the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles dished out major deals for their No. 1 wide receivers. Amon-Ra St. Brown inked for an additional four years for $120 million, including $77 million guaranteed. Meanwhile, Eagles star AJ Brown signed a three-year extension for $96 million, making him the highest-paid receiver in the league. His $84 million in guarantees marked a new high for an NFL wide receiver, however Jefferson just surpassed it.
The Eagles also announced a major extension for former first-rounder DeVonta Smith last month. The former Alabama star had his fifth-year option exercised on his rookie deal, then his contract extended for three more years through 2028 for $75 million. His new contract includes $51 million guaranteed.
Last week, the Houston Texans rewarded wide receiver Nico Collins with a three-year extension for $72.75 million. He put up 80 catches for 1,297 yards in 15 games last season.