Insider estimates Justin Jefferson's plans for Vikings mandatory mini-camp

On Monday, the Minnesota Vikings began their latest group of voluntary OTA practice sessions, and among those who weren't in attendance was the team's top wide receiver, Justin Jefferson.

Since the sessions are voluntary, Jefferson's absence isn't significantly concerning, especially since he didn't participate in any of Minnesota's voluntary OTA sessions last year as well.

However, the Vikings have a mandatory mini-camp coming up on June 4th, and if the team's star pass-catcher decides to skip that, then some eyebrows will certainly be raised.

Notable insider believes Justin Jefferson will attend the Minnesota Vikings mandatory mini-camp

With Jefferson not taking part in any of Minnesota's voluntary OTA sessions since the 2022 offseason, most people haven't been sweating his absence from the team's OTA sessions this year.

While the wide receiver pointed to a number of marketing opportunities taking up his time during the Vikings' OTAs in 2023, we don't know the exact reason for his absence this year. Still, it seems easy to assume that it might have at least a little bit to do with Jefferson and Minnesota not agreeing to a contract extension yet.

Whatever the reason for his current absence might be, NFL Media's Tom Pelissero had the following to say on Tuesday about whether he expects the star receiver to attend the Vikings' mandatory mini-camp in June.

"For the second straight year, [Jefferson] is not out there during the course of OTAs. I would not anticipate that that changes prior to mini-camp. Again, we'll see when it becomes mandatory. You would anticipate right now, based on how Jefferson has played this out so far in his career, that he will be there at [mandatory mini-camp]."

Pelissero also mentioned the expectation is still that "the Vikings are going to get something done with Justin Jefferson" this offseason.

So, this information from one of the most notable NFL insiders should lower the stress levels of Minnesota's fan base when it comes to the future of their team's top wide receiver, right?

One would like to hope it should, for a few minutes at the very least.

But until Jefferson actually signs an extension with the Vikings, speculation about his future with the franchise will continue to be shoved into the offseason headlines, whether we like it or not.

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