“The time has finally come, the deal I’ve been waiting for since I was a little kid,” Jefferson said in a video posted Monday to social media. “Being doubted my whole career, not being highly recruited, not being the first receiver off the draft board — this whole journey wasn’t easy for me.”
The Vikings and Jefferson confirmed the agreement Monday without announcing the financial terms. The Vikings acknowledged that Jefferson, who turns 25 this month, will now be under contract for the next five seasons and that the deal makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Something that once was a dream is now my reality. 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!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/q2Q6YUPAWH
— JJETS✈️ (@JJettas2) June 3, 2024
The financial terms were confirmed by a person familiar with the deal. According to that person, the amount of guaranteed money in the deal was not yet set because Jefferson’s representatives and the Vikings still were working through some issues. But that figure is expected to be around $110 million.
“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,” Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf said in a statement released by the team. “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.”
The extension averages $35 million per season. Jefferson’s original rookie contract was to have expired following the 2024 season after the Vikings previously exercised the fifth-year option in the deal for $19.743 million.
“From the moment I arrived in Minnesota, Justin has consistently proven to be one of the best players in the NFL on and off the field, and we are excited about having him as a cornerstone of our team for a long time to come,” Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in a statement.
There had been trade speculation about Jefferson, although the Vikings had said they were intent upon retaining him and signing him to an extension.
Jefferson was named the NFL’s offensive player of the year in 2022. He must play the 2024 season without quarterback Kirk Cousins, who left the Vikings in free agency in March to sign a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons. The Vikings signed veteran quarterback Sam Darnold in free agency and used the No. 10 pick in the NFL draft in April on J.J. McCarthy.
“Justin is an exceptionally talented player and an incredible person that I am honored to coach and have as a team captain,” Coach Kevin O’Connell said in a statement.
Jefferson has totaled 392 catches for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns in his four NFL seasons. His 128 catches in 2022 were the eighth most in an NFL season. His 1,809 receiving yards that season were the sixth most in a season in league history.
“You all set the tone,” Jefferson said while thanking Vikings fans in the video. “You all set the mood. You all set the energy. And I’m definitely excited to set that energy for five more years. … This is the start of it, but we ain’t done yet. Just wait.”