Death. Taxes. And an NFL star with cont꧅ract uncertainty not showing up for OTAs.
Those are life’s three guarantees.
Minnesota Vikings 🎐wide receiver Justin Jefferson did not show up for the start of organized team activities, .
Mind you, these are “voluntary” workouts. So there is no punishment that will be handed down to Justin Jefferson for not being at OTAs. But this bit of news comes as Jefferson angles for a contract extension from the team. Hence, the interest in this story.
Jefferson, 24, is a three-time Pro Bowler, was a first-team All-Pro in 2022, and has put up at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first four years as a pro. Heck, the LSU product reached the 1,000-yard marker while playing in only 10 games in 2023. The dude is a monster. And he is going to get PAID. So you’d think the Vikings wouldn’t dilly-dally around when it came to contract talks. And yet, it seems as if nothing is cooking on that front. Weird.
Keeping an eye on the Justin Jefferson situation
Justin Jefferson is one of the five best receivers in football. He runs every route on the tree, catches every ball thrown his way, and has a nose for the end zone. Jefferson is a legit WR1. Which brings me to a smooth transition point where I underscore that he plays for a division rival. Keeping an eye on what happens with Bears rivals is something I’ll naturally gravitate toward. And finally, his next contract figures to set the receiver market. Whatever Jefferson’s next contract looks like will impact him, his team, and the teams he faces in a number of different ways. But we don’t need to go all the way down that rabbit hole right now.
With that being said, there are some things ꧂I want to point out that should tie it all together for Bears fans.
Firstly, Keenan Allen’s contract expires after the season. An Allen extension isn’t a priority right now, but the Pro Bowl wideout hinting that he expects to be with the Bears after this season led us to explore what an extension could look like. Secondly, fellow wide receiver DJ Moore has a deal that runs through 2025. So while the Bears aren’t likely to be in a rush to sign Moore to an extension now, it is something that could come up at this time next year.
Both players are probably hoping Justin Jefferson resets the market before either goes to the negotiating table. And I am certain that other wide receivers are thinking along similar lines. For what it’s worth, for Jefferson’s next deal is a $32.5 million average annual salary that comes out to being in the range of nearly $130 million over four years. AJ Brown (with the Eagles) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (with the Lions) signed extensions this offseason that cleared $30 million AAV. Justin Jefferson’s figures to follow.
In the end, Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah expressed optimism regarding a future Jefferson extension, going as far as to call him a “king linchpin” of what Minnesota’s plans. During an appearance on Kay Adams’ “Up and Adams” show, “I know everything’s gonna get worked out there.” I don’t think I’m risking anything by expressing a belief that Justin Jefferson and the Vikings will eventually come to an extension agreement. But that doesn’t mean I’ll stop keeping tabs on this situation.
