Skip to content
Sign In Subscribe
Vikings — Howie Sports

Vikings exercise 5th-year option on Justin Jefferson

,   and  Howie
1 min read
Justin Jefferson. Andy Kenutis / Vikings

By Craig Peters

EAGAN, Minn. — Vikings leadership has said multiple times they envision Justin Jefferson being with Minnesota for the long haul.

The team opted to exercise the fifth-year option on the 2020 first-round pick Tuesday, meaning he'll be under contract at least through the 2024 season.

The move buys additional time for the Vikings to work out a longer-term deal with the three-time Pro Bowler and 2022 First-Team All-Pro.

Jefferson has increased his production every season, going from 88 receptions for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie to 108 catches for 1,616 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2021.

Last season, he led the NFL with 128 receptions, 1,809 yards and 106.4 receiving yards per game, setting Vikings single-season records for catches (topping Cris Carter) and receiving yards (topping Randy Moss).

Fifth-year option salaries are determined by the player's position, the spot from which they were drafted and performance benchmarks, including making two Pro Bowls during a player's first contract.

Comments

Related

Sports

Howie: Vetean GM Eliot Wolf is the classic correction hire

The Vikings don’t need comfort. They need a general manager who understands that this roster is not one tweak away. It is several foundational players away. Anyone who doesn’t see that immediately is lying — or worse, believes otherwise.

Members Public
Vikings waive WR Adam Thielen
Adam Thielen. Minnesota Vikings
Vikings

Vikings waive WR Adam Thielen

"I knew this was going to be my last season playing in the National Football League. Given that, the Vikings allowed me the opportunity to go compete elsewhere for the last few weeks of my career." -- Adam Thielen

Members Public

Latest

Duluth Politics

Howie: Forsman won't run for mayor in '27

Howie's daily column is powered by Lyric Kitchen Bar in Downtown Duluth. Arik Forsman on running for mayor of Duluth in 2027: "I am humbled ... that there are Duluthians who think I could make a half-decent mayor. But I have no plans to run for the seat

Members Public
Howie: Bayfront still may be Duluth’s best idea
The Whipper Snapper races are held during Grandma's Marathon weekend every year. Howie / HowieHanson.com
Howie

Howie: Bayfront still may be Duluth’s best idea

Bayfront remains one of the few places where the city still functions the way a healthy city is supposed to function: as a shared public space where people continue gathering together because they genuinely want to be there. Every summer, Duluth remembers that again.

Members Public
Politics

Howie: While others talked revival, Gary Doty did the work

Survival, for many old industrial American cities during the late twentieth century, became the central challenge itself. Doty helped Duluth survive long enough to rediscover confidence in itself again. That is not a minor civic legacy.

Members Public
Howie: Minnesota’s political civil war weekend
Politics

Howie: Minnesota’s political civil war weekend

The emotional political truth in Minnesota: The DFL fears permanently losing working-class and regional voters. Republicans fear nominating candidates who thrill activists but collapse in the suburbs. Both fears are real.

Members Public