Justin Jefferson Rumors: Vikings 'Pretty Motivated' in Active Contract Talks with WR

As the Minnesota Vikings go through organized team activities without Justin Jefferson, there does seem to be some progress in contract talks between the two sides.

Appearing on Saturday's SportsCenter, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the Vikings are "pretty motivated" to get a deal done with their superstar wide receiver that will likely reshape the non-quarterback market:

"This is going to be a market-altering deal when it does happen with Minnesota. I'm told the Vikings are pretty motivated here. They want to try to get something done, they've been in active discussions with Jefferson and his representation. So this could not only be making him the highest-paid wide receiver, but the highest-paid non-quarterback, potentially. Nick Bosa makes $34 million a year, we'll see if he can get to that threshold, but this should get done at some point in the coming weeks and months this summer, that's the Vikings goal, so they're pretty dedicated to doing it."

There was an interesting rumor that came out recently involving the Vikings potentially looking to trade Jefferson prior to the draft.

Per Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, there was "buzz" that Minnesota was looking to move up for the No. 5 pick to select LSU receiver Malik Nabers and Jefferson would have been dealt if that trade had gone down.

Instead, the Vikings moved up one spot to select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 10th pick and still have Jefferson.

While it's still possible the Vikings could explore trade options for Jefferson, it would seem more likely at this point that the two sides work out terms on a long-term extension.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported on Thursday it's "possible" Jefferson could have a new deal done by next week.

One reason for the ongoing delay in finalizing an agreement could be the complicated structure that Jefferson's deal might require.

Per The MMQB's Albert Breer, the "starting point" for a Jefferson extension could require the Vikings to pay him $80 million in the first two new years and a total of $100 million over the next three years.

Those figures would equal or surpass what San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, who signed a five-year, $170 million extension last September, is making on his deal.

"Bosa had a $17.859 million fifth-year option for '23," Breer wrote. "He got $98.551 million over the first three years of his new deal. That's $80.692 million over the first two new years."

Jefferson is set to earn $19.7 million in 2024, the final season of his rookie contract. Bosa is currently the highest-paid non-quarterback by average annual salary ($34 million). A.J. Brown is the highest-paid wide receiver with a $32 million average annual salary.

A three-time All-Pro selection, Jefferson has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in each of his first four seasons. His 5,899 receiving yards are the most for any player through his first four seasons in NFL history.