NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Report: Vikings, Justin Jefferson to resume talks after season

The Vikings might soon have yet another problem at receiver. And they might eventually have to trade away another great one.

For the fourth time in less than 20 years.

From Randy Moss to Percy Harvin to Stefon Diggs, the relationship with the team soured and the Vikings moved on. While the relationship with 2022 offensive player of the year Justin Jefferson has not yet soured, it’s far from being as sweet as it should be.

Via multiple reports, the Vikings and Jefferson won’t be finalizing a contract extension before Sunday’s Week 1 game against the Buccaneers. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that the plan is to revisit the negotiations after the season.

As PFT has noted on several occasions, the holdup likely traces to Minnesota’s guarantee structure. The team refuses to vest full guarantees a year early (with, for example, 2025 payments becoming fully guaranteed in March 2024). An exception was made for quarterback Kirk Cousins. Jefferson reasonably believes an exception should be made for him.

That’s possibly why he said this on Thursday: “I’m in a different situation. I’ve done something that no one has ever done in the history of the game. So my situation is a little bit different than everyone else’s.”

Indeed it is. He has earned a contract that would pay him much more than the slotted $2.4 million he’s due to make this year. Frankly, it’s an embarrassment that he’s only getting $2.4 million for 2023, given what he has done — and given what he likely will do again.

At some point, Jefferson (who currently seems to be very good natured and willing to go along with the situation) might change his mind and ask to be traded to a team that will pay him what he’s worth. It happened with three great receivers in 2022: Devante Adams, Tyreek Hill, and A.J. Brown. It could happen with Jefferson in 2024.

The Vikings clearly aren’t sweating that possibility. As I’ve said before, the failure to extend Jefferson could be the first step in a scenario that entails trading him to a team holding a draft pick high enough to deliver a franchise quarterback for the Vikings.

Yes, Jefferson is great. So was Moss, Harvin, and Diggs. And the Vikings got to a grand total of no Super Bowls with those other players on the team.

A franchise quarterback means more to an NFL organization than a stellar receiver. And if rookie receiver Jordan Addison turns out to be a great receiver, too, the Vikings can keep him and trade Jefferson in a way that positions them to get the true, year-in-and-year-out franchise quarterback they haven’t had since they traded with the Giants to bring Fran Tarkenton back to Minnesota in the 1970s.

That could be the plan. If it isn’t, it could become the reality — if/when Jefferson decides he’s had enough of his skills and abilities not being properly recognized and compensated.

NBC
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Total bull shit move by Kwesi and Wilf (a Kwesi and a Zygi sounds like trouble), in my opinion. Jefferson loses, Vikings lose and the Vikings fans will lose. Too many things can go wrong if JJ isnt signed long term now. Still stuck in purple purgatory. They give Hockenson a newbie the highest paid TE status, while the true battle tested loyal WR cant get but a measly $2.5M this season.

Maybe their thinking if he breaks his leg this season, he'll be much cheaper.

Someone make some sense of this for me, please... Im listening and open minded, I just dont understand this.

 

IF the end game is to find the next great rookie QB, then frankly, Hockinson can help that QB develop along with Jordan Addison.

Big difference in making a TE the highest paid at his position.. $66M, only $29M guaranteed and the contract JJ is en route to receive either in Minnesota or somewhere else.

You have to START with Adams $140M contract ($28M/year average, $66M guaranteed), which I see JJ surpassing easily. This contract will surpass the 17th highest paid QB in the league. Not to mention, Kirk becomes a free agent in 2024, yet the Vikings will still be paying for him due to a restructure of his contract.

This is a make or break season for the Vikings, then it is a rebuild. If you can get a top 3 pick for JJ, I believe that is actually what you should be looking forward to.

Perfect scenario, Vikings win a Super Bowl, Cousins gets his last big contract elsewhere, they trade JJ to a team willing to pay for his services immediately. Texans LOVE Stroud because he begins looking like the top QB from his class in 2023, but the WRs on the team are the real crutch. How about getting the #1 overall pick for JJ? The Vikings now have Hockinson, Addison and Caleb Williams... Oh yeah, you don't lose any draft picks in the process. Shortens that rebuild length drastically, right?

How's that for making some sense of the situation. Come on over and I'll give you a little tin hat to wear.

 

This post/idea/scenario of yours is probably what the franchise is at least considering (better be), Ive heard sketches of it recently. There is the obvious clog in the machine of moving on from Cousins and the Vikings as it stands right now, in no way, shape or form could they get a top QB in next years Draft unless they absolutely get the #1 overall pick from the Cardinals (presumably)... que Jefferson on the block. I say #1, because anything short of Williams is kinda scary or too much of a gamble. I also have concerns the Cardinals might be moving on from Murray and their tank mode is in full force to get Williams themselves... It all truly scrambles my already scrambled mind.

Hockenson, if he stays healthy, will look like a genius move, but only time will tell. Addison, in my opinion has to prove himself first, so I guess he may get opportunities galore this season, especially since he will be lined up with one-on-one coverage because of JJ.

Its almost saddening to see one of the Leagues best players become a pawn in this business/game called the NFL, but i suppose you gotta do what you gotta do and someone has to get these receivers the football. JJ really like Cousins and wants him back too... I guess they have a great chemistry.

I guess I'll just sit back, pop some corn, wash down some chill pills with whiskey and let it ride.

With Vikings horns? Cool, Im on my way. I'll bring the purple drank!!!

 

Interesting thought would they do this to get Caleb Williams a franchise QB something the Vikings have not had in a loooong time me I'm starting to wonder will they even pay Justin Jefferson the Mega Bucks

 

As a Bears fan who recently relocated to Minnesota, I'm torn. I want the Vikings to lose Jefferson because it makes things easier for my Bears, and no rookie QB is a guarantee. But I also don't want to live in an area where sports is making everyone miserable - I had enough of that experience in South Florida.

As long as the Bears win, I guess it won't matter. Could be both.

 

Hey Everybody! Good luck!

I appreciate all of you here at L4SN. Thanks for always being here and making this my favorite site for football talk and fun. Hope your favorites kick some ass.

 

Lawrence to Ridley didnt take long.

 

Ridder to Robinson worked well.

 

Young to Hurst, Panthers answering in Atlanta.

 

Couple of thoughts:
Vikings should be way up.
Richardson looks pretty good, at least looking at the stats.

 

Browns defense kicked some ass!!

 

Willies theory (Cardinals) = 0
Irish‘a theory (Texans) = 1

Texans in the lead for #1 overall

Despite the loss, Stroud outplayed Jackson… my plan is in motion

 

One more note…

Browns 1-0
Baker Mayfield 1-0

 

Tell you what... I was super impressed by the Browns, especially the defense. Unreal win for Cleveland... congratulations, Browns fans.

 

Fields just took a cheap shot by the Packers, it was legal according to the rules, I just think it was disrespectful.

 

1 o'clock finals...

 

Eagles aint foolin' around.

 

Unreal showing by the Dolphins. 466 forTua, incredible.

Missed PAT by Dolphins... Chargers just need a FG, what a freekin game.