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
Sports

Howie: Even Sid would call this Vikings meltdown 'Unbelievable'

The Vikings wrote the book on heartbreak, but today’s stomach-turner didn’t even come with heartbreak. There was no drama. No tension. No what-if. Just a full-scale tap-out from a team that decided the fight wasn’t worth the bruises.

Members Public

Latest

AF1

AF1 Notebook

By Howie Hanson, 50 Yard Football Several teams in America Football One made roster moves Friday, adding size along the lines and adjusting depth at quarterback and defensive back. Washington signed defensive lineman Javier Edwards (6-foot-2, 350 pounds) out of Colorado. Oregon made five additions, including defensive lineman Isaiah Pedack

Members Public
Tim Meyer: Use the 'Fargo Formula' for downtown redevelopment
Downtown Duluth. Howie / HowieHanson.com
Tim Meyer

Tim Meyer: Use the 'Fargo Formula' for downtown redevelopment

It is time to bring major community stakeholders and economic drivers — such as UMD and the College of St. Scholastica — downtown. With them would come students, faculty and staff, along with parents, friends and visitors, fueling a historic rebirth of downtown Duluth.

Members Public
Hermantown seeded second in Section 7A boys hockey tourney
Sports

Hermantown seeded second in Section 7A boys hockey tourney

The Hawks led by senior forward Ford Skytta, a team captain and four-year varsity player, senior goaltender Bryce Francisco and freshman defenseman Nickolai Zhokov. Junior forwards Beau Christy and Mick Martalock tied for the team scoring lead with 38 points.

Members Public