What a Vikings-Justin Jefferson contract extension would look like

During the 2023 offseason, Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings could come to terms on a historical contract extension

The end of the season came early for the Vikings and Pro Bowl wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Losing in the Wildcard Round to the New York Giants, the Vikings now enter an offseason full of questions needing answers.

One of the biggest questions the Vikings will have to answer is whether or not they will choose to extend Jefferson’s contract before the value skyrockets even more. If he continues on the trajectory he’s currently pacing, Jefferson’s value truly knows no bounds.

Coming off a season which saw him break multiple records, Jefferson is lining himself up for a hefty extension, should he and the Vikings engage in talks. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, that’s what it looks like will happen this offseason.

Justin Jefferson could command a contract that goes down with the highest-paid wide receivers of all-time

Per Over The Cap, these are the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL, which also qualify as the highest-paid receivers of all time.

• Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins: $30 million annually (4-year, $120 million)
• Davante Adams, Raiders: $28 million (5-year, $140 million)
• DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals: $27.25 million (2-year, $54.5)
• Cooper Kupp, Rams: $26.7 million (3-year, $80.1 million)
• A.J. Brown, Eagles: $25 million (4-year, $100 million)

Let’s start at the top by comparing Tyreek Hill’s deal and a possible Jefferson contract extension.

Hill signed his deal last year at the age of 28. He turns 29 in March.

Meanwhile, Jefferson turns 24 in June. He has a whole five years on Hill. In addition, Jefferson has ascended to the best wide receiver in all of football. While some might be able to argue that, what Jefferson has done in his first three seasons is unprecedented.

If Hill received an annual salary of $30 million per season over four years, then Jefferson’s deal could be along the lines of $160 million over five years, if not a tad more.

A 5-year deal at $32 million per season seems not only logical but somewhat of a deal for Minnesota if we’re being honest. If Jefferson would accept a deal that’s just beyond what Hill signed, and he’s five years older, that sounds like a win-win for both sides.

The key to a deal like this would obviously be just how much money is guaranteed to Jefferson, and that’s likely what could keep the talks going longer than anticipated.