Carmen Vitali
NFC North Reporter
“I want to break the bank and I want to be a part of an organization that wants me, and to really give me what I deserve.”
That was Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who is due for a potentially market-setting contract this offseason. Jefferson already has an Offensive Player of the Year award and All-Pro nod under his belt from the 2022 season after leading the league with 1,809 receiving yards.
In fact, Jefferson has not registered less than 1,000 receiving yards in any of his four seasons. Even this past year, Jefferson had 1,074 receiving yards while playing just 10 games.
It’s hard to argue any receiver means more to his respective team than Jefferson. Despite not having quarterback Kirk Cousins for over half the games Jefferson appeared in this season, he still cracked 100 yards five times.
Since entering the league in 2020, Jefferson has the second-most receiving yards behind Tyreek Hill. His per-game average surpasses Hill’s (98.3-92.7). His 15.0 yards per catch matches A.J. Brown for the NFL’s highest mark during that span.
This is all to say, keeping Jefferson is going to be expensive. Jefferson wanting to “break the bank” comes as a surprise to no one. Two years ago, Hill set receiver contract records by signing for $30 million in average annual value (four years, $120 million) and $72.2 million guaranteed.
Jefferson’s next deal could shatter that one.
“I feel like eventually, the Vikings will do what they need to do to have me in the building, but I don’t really know at this very moment, only time will tell,” he said.
It’s a hefty ask, especially when we just watched Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs win the title with a rookie receiver and no other consistent wideouts on the roster. Of course, the Chiefs have the best quarterback on the planet right now, as well as the best tight end. That makes up for a lot, as we saw especially in the fourth…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/vikings-face-tough-offseason-decisions-but-the-one-with-justin-jefferson-is-easy
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Publish date : 2024-02-15 22:54:08
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