SUMMARY According to numerous publications on Monday, wide receiver Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings will ink a $140 million, four-year contract deal, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the more than 100-year history of the NFL.
- On Monday morning, the Vikings and Jefferson made separate announcements about the deal. The Vikings stated that it was “the highest contract for a non-QB in NFL history,” although they did not disclose the exact figure.
- According to the NFL Network and ESPN, the deal extension, which will be added to his rookie contract and last through 2028, is for $140 million, of which $110 million is guaranteed.
- When Jefferson announced the extension on social media, he wrote, “Something that once was a dream is now my reality.” He also said in a different statement that Viking fans will “continue to get my very best each and every day.”
- After agreeing to a deal last year, Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers was the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history before this one.
ESSENTIAL PREFACE
After being drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Jefferson has played in four seasons and has amassed 392 receptions for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns. According to the team, his performance thus far places him seventh among all Vikings in terms of yards and tenth in terms of receptions. Only five players, including Jefferson, have accumulated more than 5,000 receiving yards in their first four seasons of play. In a statement, the Vikings’ owners, Mark and Zygi Wilf, declared that Jefferson is “the best wide receiver and one of the most electric players in the NFL.” Before joining the NFL, Jefferson spent three years as a collegiate player at Louisiana State University, where he started 27 games and played in 35 total.
TANGENT
Last fall, Forbes estimated the Vikings to have a net value of $4.65 billion, making them the 16th most valuable team in the league.
