While there was plenty of speculation on whether the Vikings should give Jefferson a megadeal, there was no need to overthink it.
Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson posted historically big numbers on his rookie deal, and now he's getting paid like an NFL star. Kevin Seifert is a staff writer who covers the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL at ESPN. Kevin has covered the NFL for over 20 years, joining ESPN in 2008. He was previously a beat reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Washington Times. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia. You can follow him via Twitter @SeifertESPN..
Of course, there is a level of projection in that statement. But remember: Jefferson is still only 25 years old. There is a pretty low probability that his skills will fade before the expiration of this deal, and there is no better time for a team to make that bet than when its quarterback -- eventually No. 10 overall pick, in the Vikings' case -- is on a rookie contract with a controlled salary over at least the next three seasons.
But the only commonalities they have with Jefferson is that they play the same position and, with the exception of Diggs, were drafted in the first round. Jefferson has never produced a hint of an off-field concern, either inside or outside the building. His effort level and consistency are not in question. He supported the return of quarterbackThe closest Jefferson has come to diva behavior is wearing sunglasses during interviews, which he once sheepishly attributed to an endorsement deal.
With this deal, however, Jefferson has now gone from a promising star to franchise cornerstone. As the Vikings navigate the transition from Cousins toto McCarthy, they will rely on Jefferson not only for on-field production but to set a course in the locker room as well. Leadership in pro sports always falls to the team's best players, and that means all eyes will be on Jefferson, whether he cultivates them or not.
There is, of course, no reason to think Jefferson isn't up to it. His teammates elected him as a captain last year at age 24, and he immediately broke the ice with McCarthy with a text that ceded the nickname"J.J."Extending Jefferson's contract was an expensive but easy decision. It was a no-brainer on every level. There was no reason to overthink it, and fortunately for them, the Vikings did not. It just took a while to get it done.
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