Vikings Exercise WR Justin Jefferson’s Fifth-Year Option
On Tuesday afternoon, the Minnesota Vikings picked up star wide receiver Justin Jefferson’s fifth-year option, according to a team press release.
The release said that the decision allows the Vikings time to work out a long-term deal with Jefferson.
“The team opted to exercise the fifth-year option on the 2020 first-round pick Tuesday, meaning he’ll be under contract at least through the 2024 season. The move buys more time for the Vikings to work out a longer-term deal with the three-time Pro Bowler and 2022 First-Team All-Pro.”
Last season, Justin Jefferson led the NFL with 128 receptions, 1,809 yards and 106.4 receiving yards per game. Jefferson’s monster 2022 set Vikings single-season records for catches (topping Cris Carter) and receiving yards (topping Randy Moss).
The former LSU star has increased his production every season. Jefferson went from 88 receptions for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie to 108 catches for 1,616 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2021. Due to performance escalators, Justin Jefferson is due $19,743,000 in his fifth-year (2024).
Vikings leadership — from ownership to to GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to coach Kevin O’Connell — has said that an extension is the eventual plan. Minnesota now has a longer runway to get that deal done. Jefferson’s extension is going to be an expensive one for the Vikings. Jefferson will likely command top of the market money. Cardinals’ wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has a 2023 cap hit of $30 million, so I would expect Jefferson to eclipse that number.
You can find a complete list of players eligible for fifth-year options and the price of those options here:
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