Vikings reportedly are ‘hesitant’ to give Justin Jefferson fully guaranteed money in new deal despite him wanting to become one of the highest-paid WRs in the NFL

The Vikings picked up Justin Jefferson's 5th year option last April.

Vikings reportedly are ‘hesitant’ to give Justin Jefferson fully guaranteed money in new deal despite him wanting to become one of the highest-paid WRs in the NFL

Justin Jefferson (Image via IMAGO)

The Minnesota Vikings had an underwhelming campaign in 2023 after their quarterback, Kirk Cousins, suffered an injury that ended his season early. Now, they are in off-season mode, trying to sort out their roster. One of their main concerns now is signing wide receiver Justin Jefferson to a long-term contract extension.

Everyone believed the Vikings would move mountains to re-sign their star wide receiver. However, now, the Minnesota-based football team has run into a problem in Jefferson’s contract negotiations, according to multiple reports. The problem is not the money but the structure of Jefferson’s contract.

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According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, the Vikings have an internal rule in the organization that they will only pay guaranteed money in the first year that the contract is signed. Florio speculates the Vikings’ rule might be the thing dragging the contract negotiations.

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It's not the dollars, it's the structure. They don't want to guarantee in-full money beyond the first year on a deal for anyone other than the quarterback position.
Mike Florio wrote in his article

Last April, the Vikings picked the fifth-year option of Jefferson, which would keep him with the team in 2024. But, they would be foolish to delay the contract talks any later. Jefferson is one of the best wide receivers in the league and is a huge asset to the Minnesota-based football team. The Vikings would certainly not want him to wear any other threads at this stage of his career, but the delay in a contract extension has their fans tensed about Jefferson’s future in Minnesota.

Justin Jefferson wants to ‘break the bank’ with new contract

Earlier this month, the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver opened up about his contract extension On Mad Dog Sports Radio’s Schein on Sports. The 3-time Pro Bowler said he wants to break the bank with his new contract.

Justin Jefferson contract vikings
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (Image via IMAGO)
I want to break the bank and I want to be a part, you know, of an organization, you know, that wants me and really gives me what I deserve. So, you know, I feel like, you know, eventually the Vikings will, you know, do what they need to do to have me in the building.
Justin Jefferson said

As previously mentioned, the Vikings aren’t worried about the money. They are ready to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. However, the Vikings are worried about giving guaranteed money to Jefferson.

Nonetheless, as of now, there’s no reason to believe the Vikings and Jefferson wouldn’t be able to find a middle ground in their contract talks. But, in the NFL, nothing is ever guaranteed.

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