NFL Fans Celebrate Justin Jefferson's Historic Contract to Be Highest-Paid WR Ever

Justin Jefferson is officially the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

The Minnesota Vikings and their star receiver reached a four-year, $140 million contract extension Monday that guarantees him $110 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal includes $88.7 million due at signing.

Reaction understandably poured in from fans celebrating Jefferson cashing in.

Jefferson has been a superstar from the moment he set foot on an NFL field. His 5,899 receiving yards are the most for a receiver in NFL history over the first four years of his career. Only Michael Thomas and CeeDee Lamb hauled in more passes than Jefferson's 392 over his first four years.

Making matters even more impressive is the fact that Jefferson missed seven games due to injury last season and still is lapping the field in most categories. If Jefferson were fully healthy and put up stats in line with his career numbers, he'd likely have around 1,000 yards more than any other receiver over the first four years of his career.

While Jefferson could have pushed the issue into next offseason, cashing in now makes sense.

After spending his first four seasons catching passes from Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins, Jefferson will now have Sam Darnold or JJ McCarthy as his primary quarterback. McCarthy, the Vikings' first-round pick, may turn into a superstar in the future, but he or Darnold will almost certainly be a downgrade for the 2024 season.

With tens of millions of dollars on the line, Jefferson couldn't afford to let the situation linger and potentially have a down season caused by poor quarterback play.

Instead, he inked a deal that will undoubtedly reset the wide receiver market.