Justin Jefferson Contract Extension A Whopper That Has Wide-Ranging Ramifications

Meet Justin Jefferson, the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback.

Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings have agreed to a four-year contract extension that is worth $140 million in new money and has wide-ranging consequence around the NFL.

Justin Jefferson Highest-Paid Non-QB

Firstly, this deal makes Jefferson the NFL's highest paid wide receiver. That was a given. It also makes him the league's highest-paid non-quarterback, which was something Jefferson was looking to become when he turned down an offer that fell below that mark previously.

The next thing Jefferson wanted to do was reach quarterback contract levels and there was obviously some compromise on this part of the deal. 

Jefferson's $35-million-per-season on an annual average does surpass deals signed by Geno Smith last season and Baker Mayfield this offseason. And he's getting $110 in guarantees, which surpasses the guaranteed money in contracts signed by Kirk Cousins ($100 million) recently, and Derek Carr ($100 million) and Daniel Jones ($104 million) last year.

But the deal doesn't reach the $40-million-per-year plateau, where a majority of quarterbacks park their deals.

Doesn't matter to Jefferson, it seems.

Jefferson Grateful To Many People

He's quite happy.

"The time has finally come," Jefferson said on Instagram. "The deal I've been waiting for since I was a little kid. Being doubted my whole career, not being highly recruited, not being the first receiver off the draft board, this whole journey wasn't easy for me.

"First off I want to thank the Man above. Without God this wouldn't be possible at all. To be given the gift to be able to play football at the highest level, it's a blessing, it's an honor." 

Jefferson called what has transpired "a dream that we all had, it's a blessing."

Jefferson thanked his agent, thanked Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, thanked his brothers, thanked Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, and the Wilf family that owns the Vikings.

Jefferson, a fan favorite, also thanked Vikings fans.

"Last but not least, thank you to the fans," he said. "Y'all set the tone, y'all set the mood. Y'all set the energy. I'm definitely excited to set the energy for five more years. Thank you to the ones who supported me throughout the whole way.

"This is the start of it but we ain't done yet."

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 07: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball up the field after a catch during the first half of a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 07, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

The Chase Is On For Jefferson Deal

Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf released a statement showing their obvious satisfaction the team's best player remains with the Vikings:

"Over the first four seasons of his career, Justin entrenched himself as the best wide receiver and one of the most electric players in the NFL. He is a special talent, a committed teammate and an excellent representative of the Vikings. Justin has earned this contract, and we are thrilled he will remain a Minnesota Viking for a very long time."

This contract also sets a benchmark the NFL's top non-quarterbacks will try to surpass and other wide receivers will now be trying to reach.

The obvious and most likely candidate to try to reach Jefferson's $35 million per year with over $100 million in guarantees is Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase.

Chase played alongside Jefferson at LSU. Can you imagine?

And now Chase, who is signed through 2025, will also try to get paid a comparable or better extension before that '25 season.

This season, the deal affects the negotiations between CeeDee Lamb and the Dallas Cowboys and Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers. Neither player is likely to match the Jefferson deal.

But both are likely to point to the deal and make the case the price of a great receiver has just increased significantly beyond the deal A.J. Brown signed with the Eagles recently – one that paid him $32 million per season on average.

Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill also wants something of a renegotiation on his deal that pays $30 million per season and expires after the 2026 season. That one doesn't feel like a front-burner situation for the Dolphins.  

The Vikings were in a favorable position to make this deal because they are not paying a mint for their starting quarterback. J.J. McCarthy is a rookie and Sam Darnold is getting paid like a backup.

So the Vikings used that advantage to reward the player they think is the NFL's best non-quarterback.