4 ways the Vikings can best prepare for the future this offseason
By Dean Jones
Keep Jefferson happy
The Vikings have now decided to extend Kirk Cousins, which was probably the price they had to pay in order for the quarterback to sign off on a restructure. This has caused some hot debate among fans, and it remains to be seen whether or not it was the right call to make.
This solidifies one key position, even if it might not come with an immediate turnaround in fortunes. However, another player the Vikings should keep happy this offseason is Justin Jefferson, who has been nothing short of phenomenal over his first two years in the league and even has the potential to get even better over time.
Jefferson should be the focal point of anything Minnesota attempts to do moving forward. But it’s absolutely essential that the former LSU stud is confident that the Vikings can fulfill his lofty ambitions ahead of expected contract talks at the end of the 2022 season.
Minnesota does have the option of triggering his fifth-year option and even franchise-tagging Jefferson after that. This might not go down too well with the player, who has already put the team on notice regarding a megabucks contract earlier this offseason.
This might sound like a small part of what the Vikings are planning to do. But with Adam Thielen approaching the twilight of his career, the new regime has to focus their time on Jefferson to best prepare them for the future.