Justin Jefferson Contract a High Priority for Vikings GM Adofo-Mensah
Justin Jefferson, the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year, is due for his first contract extension this offseason. Jefferson has been an undeniable force since being selected with the 22nd pick in the 2020 draft. He is a two-time first-team All-Pro and was the league’s best receiver in 2022.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah needs to clear lots of cap space if he expects to get this deal done. Minnesota is currently $23.4 million over the cap limit going into 2023. A generational talent like Jefferson will make his contract the highest priority of the Vikings’ offseason.
Adofo-Mensah has not been bashful about his desire to keep Jefferson in Minnesota.
“I don’t want to be the Vikings G.M. without that guy on our team,” Adofo-Mensah said about Jefferson and negotiating a contract. “It’s a high priority. We gotta make sure that we do it in the order that we can do it in, obviously, given all the other decisions we need to make.”
This will be very challenging offseason for Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings front office.
A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin all received large contract extensions last offseason, doing so after only playing three years in the NFL. Jefferson has accomplished just as much, if not more, during his three years in Minnesota.
All four of the previously mentioned receivers will earn between $22-25 million in 2023. Jefferson’s contract could cost the Vikings even more given his current career trajectory.
Vikings face big decisions in order to keep Jefferson
The Vikings may be forced to release or trade some of their veteran stars this offseason in order to retain Jefferson at such a price.
Minnesota has been a formidable team in recent years, just unable to get over the hump. Players like Adam Thielen, Harrison Smith and Dalvin Cook have all received contract extensions for their roles on the team. Those players combined will cause a $53 million cap hit for Minnesota in 2023, however.
All three players have sustained long-term injuries or are simply just getting older. The simple fact of needing to sign Jefferson to a contract extension this offseason, while currently $23.4 million over the cap limit, means that Minnesota will likely have to move on from some of their key veteran players. Whether it is by trade or release, the Vikings need to do a lot before contract discussions can even begin with Jefferson.
Jefferson has indicated in the past that he wants to continue to play in Minnesota. The NFL superstar would be unwise not to recognize his value in today’s league though. If Minnesota is unable to do what they need to do cap wise in order to pay Jefferson what he is worth, he may be forced to move on.
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