Inside The Vikings

Vikings Officially Exercise Justin Jefferson's Fifth-Year Option

This was never in question, obviously. It's official now — and here's what that means.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings Officially Exercise Justin Jefferson's Fifth-Year Option
Vikings Officially Exercise Justin Jefferson's Fifth-Year Option

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Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have officially exercised the fifth-year option on superstar wide receiver and reigning AP offensive player of the year Justin Jefferson, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapaport.

There was obviously never any question as to whether or not this would happen. Jefferson has been a record-breaking revelation for the Vikings during his first three seasons since being selected 22nd overall in 2020, putting together arguably the best start to a career by any receiver in league history. Still just 23 years old (he turns 24 in June), Jefferson is the face of the Vikings' franchise and one of the brightest stars in the NFL.

Drafted players have four-year rookie scale contracts, but players drafted in the first round also have a fifth-year option that teams can pick up by May 1st heading into their fourth season. The price for that fifth year is determined annually by the player's position and certain performance-based criteria. Because Jefferson made at least two Pro Bowls in his first three seasons — he's made it in all three years of his career — his 2024 salary will be the franchise tag number for wide receivers, which is $19.74 million this year.

So Jefferson, who has been an absurd bargain for the Vikings on his four-year, $13.1 million rookie contract, will make just shy of $20 million in 2024, which is still good value for a player of his caliber. After that, his price is going to skyrocket.

Jefferson is eligible for a contract extension this offseason, and the Vikings will undoubtedly want to get that taken care of as soon as possible in order to keep their superstar in Minnesota for many years to come. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has confirmed as much this offseason on multiple occasions. The Vikings could wait until next year to extend Jefferson, but his price figures to only go up.

The fifth-year option will essentially be baked into Jefferson's next contract, which will kick in during the 2025 season.

For the Vikings, this is the first fifth-year option they've picked up since 2015 first-round pick Trae Waynes in 2018. Minnesota didn't pick up the option for any of Laquon Treadwell, Mike Hughes, or Garrett Bradbury.

Thanks for reading. Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Vikings news and analysis all offseason long. Also, follow me on Twitter and feel free to ask me any questions on there.

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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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