4 Vikings players earning new deals from their efforts in 2022

Justin Jefferson – WR

Justin Jefferson is only in Year 3 of his professional career. Considering he’s still got a fifth-year option to activate, time is on the Minnesota Vikings’ side.

However, the wide receiver is going to want a contract befitting his elite production sooner rather than later.

Many anticipated Jefferson to excel under Kevin O’Connell, the Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator that helped propel Cooper Kupp to superstardom. The former LSU sensation looks well on his way to attaining superb numbers across the board once again and is now arguably the league’s most prolific wide receiver for good measure.

Although Jefferson stated before the campaign that money and contractual issues aren’t his primary concerns, how much other wideouts are getting paid won’t be going unnoticed. Something that would dictate a record-breaking deal from the Vikings whenever the player wants it.

Jefferson is catching 73 percent of his targets and has already accumulated 656 receiving yards through six weeks to go along with two touchdowns. His route-running is phenomenal, and game-changing players like him are very rare, which further strengthens his position when negotiations begin.

If the Vikings had any sense, they would tie Jefferson down long-term as soon as possible. But in an ideal world, waiting until 2024 to focus finances on other areas would be more beneficial.