The Minnesota Vikings have one crucial item left on their roster agenda before the regular season kicks off: securing a contract extension for their star wide receiver, Justin Jefferson.
As of Monday, Jefferson was notably absent during the Vikings’ initial organized team activities, as confirmed by a source familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity due to the club’s confidentiality. The team’s on-field drills scheduled for Tuesday were set to be open to reporters.
Currently in the voluntary phase of the spring sessions, Jefferson is not mandated to be present at the facility, with only the upcoming minicamp from June 4-6 being obligatory.
Last year, Jefferson opted to train away from the team during the offseason but participated in minicamp and training camp despite the absence of a new contract. Negotiations between the Vikings and his agency commenced last spring, making progress, but were halted upon the onset of the regular season. With Jefferson now entering the final year of his rookie deal, the urgency to reach an agreement has heightened.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah recently stated that negotiations are ongoing with positive communication between both parties. Talks were temporarily suspended to allow both William Morris Endeavor, Jefferson’s agency, and the team to focus on preparations for the NFL draft.
Adofo-Mensah expressed the desire for Jefferson to be properly celebrated upon signing a new contract, likening the occasion to a month-long birthday celebration for a close friend.
Recent lucrative contracts signed by other wide receivers, such as Amon-Ra St. Brown’s $120 million deal with the Detroit Lions and A.J. Brown’s $96 million extension with the Philadelphia Eagles, have set high benchmarks for Jefferson’s negotiations. Brown’s contract, in particular, boasts an annual average value of $32 million, the highest in the league for receivers according to Over The Cap.