Inside The Vikings

Justin Jefferson Moves on From Contract Talks, Sets More Records in Vikings' Opener

Jefferson had another ho-hum 150-yard performance in the Vikings' disappointing loss.
Will Ragatz|
Justin Jefferson Moves on From Contract Talks, Sets More Records in Vikings' Opener
Justin Jefferson Moves on From Contract Talks, Sets More Records in Vikings' Opener

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Minnesota Vikings

After a long offseason of negotiations, Justin Jefferson ran out onto the U.S. Bank Stadium field on Sunday without a contract extension. He still has two years left on his rookie deal, but Jefferson was eligible for an extension this year and the two sides were unable to reach an agreement. Now that the season has started, talks are expected to be put on hold until 2024.

Whenever he's been asked about his contract situation, dating back to the end of last season, Jefferson has made it clear that his focus is on football — that he's leaving the business side of things to his agent and the Vikings. Although the window to get an extension done has closed for a while, Jefferson doesn't seem concerned.

"It is what it is," he said following a disappointing 20-17 loss against the Buccaneers. "We're moving on. I'm ready to focus on the season."

Whether a new deal got worked out or not, there was never any risk of Jefferson holding out this season. He wants to play and he knows his worth. At some point, barring anything unexpected, he's going to become the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history. Until then, he's going to keep doing what he does best.

"Not really," Jefferson said when asked if this contract situation has changed how he feels about the Vikings. "I have the same mindset as I had before. At the end of the day, all I can do is play football. That's what I continue to do. I know my team. My team doesn't care about the contract and I don't either. I just want to be here for my teammates, play for my teammates, and of course, get these wins."

From a football standpoint, Sunday was business as usual for Jefferson. The reigning NFL offensive player of the year racked up 138 receiving yards in the first half alone against the Buccaneers, finishing with nine catches for 150 yards. In other words, he picked up right where he left off last season.

Jefferson is a superstar who has emerged as one of the faces of the entire league. He has shattered all kinds of records through his first three seasons, earning the unofficial title of the consensus best receiver in the world heading into his fourth season.

On Sunday, he achieved a few more remarkable milestones. In just his 49th start, Jefferson surpassed Randy Moss as the youngest player ever to record 25 career 100-yard receiving games. His 51 total games are the fewest it has ever taken a pass-catcher to record 25 100-yard outings, surpassing Lance Alworth's mark of 55 games. Jefferson also became the first player in history to record nine career games with 150 receiving yards before turning 25 years old.

Jefferson had catches of 30, 25, 22, and 42 yards in the first half, very nearly breaking free for a touchdown on the final one. Two plays later, Kirk Cousins threw an interception at the goal line and Jefferson released his frustration by delivering a huge hit on Buccaneers defensive back Christian Izien.

Jefferson was held to two catches for 12 yards in the second half as the Buccaneers dominated time of possession. The Vikings' offense had just three drives after the break, and the latter two ended in three-and-outs.

Despite another big statistical outing, Jefferson was clearly frustrated with the loss after this game. He'll look to help the Vikings bounce back on Thursday night in Philadelphia, a place where he was held to 48 yards during last year's Week 2 defeat.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell doesn't think the contract situation will affect Jefferson at all this season. The two have been in frequent communication.

"It's daily dialogue with Justin, as much as I possibly can," O'Connell said. "He knows that I support him 100 percent, and he was all-in today and really has been. So we would have loved to get something done with Justin, but the decision was made, and I do not for one second believe that Justin is not going to put his best foot forward, like he did today, and really was pretty darn special today."

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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