Ex-Vikings GM predicts $172.5m Justin Jefferson deal to 'get done soon'
Justin Jefferson is probably going to be extremely rich in the very near future.
Former Minnesota Vikings general manager Jeff Diamond is predicting the 24-year-old superstar wide receiver will sign a five-year contract extension wroth $172.5 million, including a $50 million signing bonus and a $125 million of his contract guaranteed.
Diamond believes Jefferson's camp is aiming to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, not only in annual average value, but also in guaranteed money.
San Francisco defensive end Nick Bosa's deal with the 49ers pays him an annual average value of $34 million, which is currently the richest non-QB deal in the league. Bosa also received a $50 million signing bonus and $122.5 million guaranteed.
"Expect Jefferson’s deal to include a $50 million signing bonus to match Bosa and $125 million guaranteed to exceed him," Diamond wrote for The 33rd Team.
A five-year deal worth $172.5 million would give Jefferson an annual average value of $34.5 million, exceeding Bosa by a mere $500,000 per year.
Diamond, who worked for the Vikings from 1976 to 1998, believes the deal with Jefferson will "get done soon."
"There’s a good chance it will happen before free agency opens on March 13, giving the Minnesota Vikings salary cap savings off his 2024 cap hit of $19.743 million," Diamond added.
The former GM also believes the new deal will save Minnesota around $10.2 million on Jefferson's 2024 cap hit, which could help free up money to re-sign quarterback Kirk Cousin and edge rusher Danielle Hunter.
He expects at least $45 million a year to re-sign Cousins and about $25 million annually to ink Hunter to an extension.
Justin Jefferson during a game against the Lions at Ford Field in Detroit.
Image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
