Insider urges Vikings to pay their star player
The Minnesota Vikings are making headlines.
GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is reportedly taking an aggressive approach to trades, aiming to move up into the top five draft picks to secure a new franchise quarterback.
Simultaneously, the Vikings are actively searching for a top-tier quarterback to bolster their roster. Alongside this, they’re focused on locking in star receiver Justin Jefferson with a lucrative, long-term contract.
Despite Jefferson’s impressive performance, he hasn’t signed an extension yet. Concerns arise as potential departures, like that of Kirk Cousins, could impact Jefferson’s satisfaction and commitment to the team.
Adofo-Mensah has publicly acknowledged Jefferson’s exceptional talent, identifying him as the premier receiver in the league. He reassures fans that the Vikings are diligently working on an appropriate and rewarding compensation package for Jefferson.
NFL insider Mike Florio is pushing the Vikings to make a decisive move regarding Jefferson’s contract situation. He emphasizes that the Vikings need to either offer Jefferson a deserving contract or explore trade options. Florio’s message is clear: “If the Vikings hesitate or delay, they need to act swiftly. It’s crucial to either pay Jefferson what he’s worth or consider trading him to a team willing to make a long-term commitment.”
Florio believes Justin Jefferson is a standout player across all positions, second only to quarterbacks. Given his exceptional talent, the Vikings should consider offering him a $34 million salary, matching Nick Bosa’s earnings, which would make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.
While this move could disrupt the wide receiver market, particularly with Ja’Marr Chase and CeeDee Lamb also awaiting contract extensions, investing in Jefferson might be a risk worth taking for the Vikings.
If the Vikings hesitate to make this offer, another team could step in and eagerly offer Jefferson a competitive deal.