New Justin Jefferson development has Minnesota Vikings fans on edge
The Minnesota Vikings' voluntary offseason program got underway on Monday and one big name isn't in attendance. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson wasn't present on Monday for the first day of voluntary offseason workouts. Jefferson is entering the final year of his contract (his fifth year option). He's scheduled to […]
The Minnesota Vikings' voluntary offseason program got underway on Monday and one big name isn't in attendance.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson wasn't present on Monday for the first day of voluntary offseason workouts.
Jefferson is entering the final year of his contract (his fifth year option). He's scheduled to earn $19.74 million in 2024. But the former LSU standout, of course, is seeking a contract extension ahead of his fifth season in the NFL.
Not reporting to voluntary workouts is one of the few leverage moves that Jefferson has in his tool bag as he awaits a new contract.
Jefferson isn't the only star wide receiver not in attendance for voluntary workouts on Monday. Schefter noted that Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who is in the same situation as Jefferson, wasn't present on Monday for the start of voluntary workouts in Dallas.
Vikings owner Mark Wilf said last month the team hopes keep Jefferson in purple.
"We're focused on getting that guy (Jefferson) on our field with the purple, and he looks great in purple," said Wilf to the NFL Network. "We're going to do our best to keep it that way."
Earlier this offseason, Jefferson told Pro Football Talk that he plans to be patient while waiting for a new contract, though he admitted that waiting can get frustrating.
"It kind of gets frustrating at some point," said Jefferson when asked if his patience will run out at some point. "Just with all I have done for the organization….of course I know I'm still early in my rookie contract. But no one has done what I've done. I'm just excited to be a part of the organization. And hopefully they feel I'm valuable enough to give me — it doesn't matter the amount of zeroes. I just want to play football and want to be part of an organization that values me and wants me there."
"I know that it's a business, I know they have money in their pockets that they're trying to keep," added Jefferson. "But I know the value that I have. I know what I bring to the table for this team."
The Vikings and Jefferson clearly want to remain attached to each other. But until the deal actually gets done, Minnesota fans are understandably going to be on edge.
We've seen several elite wide receivers in recent years fail to get extensions done with the team that drafted them (Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, and AJ Brown). So the uneasiness is understandable. But ultimately, I'd be very surprised if Jefferson isn't wearing a Vikings uniform beyond the 2024 season.
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