The Minnesota Vikings and Justin Jefferson agreed to a historic four-year, $140M contract extension on Monday, per multiple reports, making the star wide receiver the highest-paid non-quarterback on a yearly basis.
While the three-time Pro Bowler didn’t quite reach the $40M per year salary that some thought he might, Jefferson still won last year’s bet on himself when he turned down a lucrative offer from Minnesota.
Despite both sides entering June without a new deal, the Vikings were adamant that they wouldn’t be trading Jefferson this offseason.
The 24-year-old is the latest in a large group of superstar wideouts to cash in this offseason with massive pay days.
Among those still waiting for new contracts are Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers, CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys and Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jefferson has had a monstrous start to his career since being selected with the 22nd overall pick during the 2020 NFL Draft.
The LSU product’s 98.3 receiving yards per game average is the highest in NFL history, and his 6.5 catches per contest are the second highest of any receiver in his first four seasons.
In addition to his three Pro Bowl honors, Jefferson won the 2022 AP Offensive Player of the Year and was a first team All-Pro that season as well.
He’s recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards and five touchdowns in each season of his career, and his 5,899 career receiving yards are second-most since 2020, while his 392 catches are sixth.
Jefferson posted 68 receptions for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns last season despite missing seven games due to a hamstring injury.
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