The Minnesota Vikings have arguably the best wide receiver in the National Football League.
As such, it only makes sense that he gets paid accordingly.
Following months of rumors and speculation, the Vikings ultimately signed him to a record-breaking four-year deal worth a whopping $140 million.
The deal, which includes $110 million fully guaranteed, made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the history of the league.
Unsurprisingly, multiple teams were keeping tabs on Jefferson before this happened.
According to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN, the San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, and New York Jets reached out and inquired about his availability.
However, the Vikings never even considered moving the LSU product, so talks never went anywhere.
The 49ers called the Vikings about a potential Justin Jefferson trade before draft, but Minnesota had zero interest in moving its standout wide receiver. Now, the 49ers will face Jefferson today.https://t.co/MN8nyGkGJW
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 15, 2024
Some thought that Jefferson wasn’t happy in the Twin Cities anymore.
The fact that he hadn’t signed a contract extension and the Vikings’ inability — or unwillingness — to keep Kirk Cousins in free agency made some feel that he could force his way out.
He was always expected to fetch a record-breaking deal, so whoever traded for him would’ve had to give up a massive haul of draft picks and assets and then find a way to accommodate his contract on their books.
Jefferson will now have a big weight on his shoulders, and he’ll have to put his team on his back to keep them afloat.
With that kind of money comes even bigger demands.
But if someone can live up to that deal, even with a less-than-ideal quarterback situation, it’s most definitely Justin Jefferson.
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