10 bold Minnesota Vikings predictions for the 2024 offseason

Bold Vikings Prediction No. 2

Justin Jefferson will become the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history

The 2023 season was filled with surprises, but the most shocking moment may have come when the Vikings didn’t agree with Justin Jefferson on a new contract extension.

First-round picks typically don’t sign a big-money extension after the third year of their rookie contract because teams have a fifth-year option, but Jefferson figured to be an exception as the face of their franchise.

When Jefferson didn’t sign, a fan base who watched Randy Moss, Stefon Diggs and Percy Harvin get traded put every one of his reactions under a microscope and whether his perceived unhappiness would make him the next one out the door.

There has been speculation that the Vikings could use Jefferson to acquire a high pick to draft a quarterback this year, but that seems like overkill.

The better scenario is to use Jefferson, who is now one of five receivers in NFL history to reach at least 1,000 receiving yards over his first four seasons, to help elevate whoever is playing quarterback for Minnesota.

This contract is not going to be cheap, and it should surpass Nick Bosa’s five-year, $170 million contract the pass rusher signed with the San Francisco 49ers last season.

But the investment is also worth it for a player who not only performs at a high level, but also elevates everyone around him.