5 biggest surprises of Minnesota Vikings free agency in 2023

No contract extensions

One thing that was basically considered a lock to happen once free agency started was getting Justin Jefferson locked up long-term. He’s become the best receiver in the NFL and is coming off a historic season where he hauled in 128 receptions for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns.

Many figured the Vikings would get him signed and in Minnesota for the next five years or so with a massive contract extension, but it hasn’t happened yet. They are freeing up cap space for 2024, so maybe the extension is coming during the 2023 season.

T.J. Hockenson is another player the Vikings were expected to extend in the offseason. He’s still on his rookie contract and is just 25 years old. The thought was the Vikings would rework his deal, saving cap space in the interim while giving him a massive chunk of money to keep him in Minnesota for the foreseeable future. Like Jefferson’s deal, that has not happened yet, but it is likely to come at some point in the coming months.

Ezra Cleveland was another player who some thought could get extended. He has proven to be a solid player on the left side. The Vikings could’ve looked to get him at a team-friendly cost, but now if he has another good season, that price tag is likely to go way up.

Again, some of these extensions could still happen, but it is a bit surprising that not a single one has yet to occur.